Shukri Conrad keeps an eye on WTC before Bangladesh series. The Proteas cricket team, led by coach Shukri Conrad, is gearing up for their crucial series against Bangladesh as they eye a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. With only two matches against Bangladesh later this month, the team is focused on securing victories that will move them closer to the WTC final. Currently, South Africa is ranked sixth in the WTC standings, and Conrad remains optimistic about their chances of making it to the finals despite the challenges that lie ahead.
South Africa Position in the WTC Standings
At present, South Africa finds themselves in the sixth position in the WTC standings, but there’s more to this than meets the eye. The Proteas have played the fewest number of matches compared to other teams competing for a spot in the final. For example, India and Australia, who occupy the top two spots, have played 11 and 12 matches, respectively. In contrast, the Proteas have only played six Tests in this two-year cycle, which concludes in 2025. Despite this, the team is determined to make up ground and secure a place in the final.
The Importance of the Bangladesh Series
The upcoming series against Bangladesh holds significant weight for South Africa. The Proteas are scheduled to play two Test matches—one in Dhaka starting on October 21, and another in Chattogram starting on October 29. Coach Shukri Conrad sees these matches as pivotal in their journey toward WTC glory.
“With regards to the World Test Championship, it is there and we pay attention to it because it’s something that we realistically can still be a big part of,” Conrad said during an interview. He further elaborated that, according to his calculations, if the Proteas win five out of their six remaining matches, they stand a good chance of making it to the final.
Team Composition and Strategy
One of the key aspects of South Africa’s preparation for the Bangladesh series is the composition of the team. The Proteas have made adjustments to their lineup, especially in the bowling department. The batting lineup, on the other hand, seems more settled, with Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, and Kyle Verreyne securing their places.
Conrad expressed his confidence in the team, saying, “We wanted to settle this batting unit, and I think we’ve achieved that. I think these are the batters that are going to take us forward now.” The bowling attack, too, will see some familiar faces, with Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee expected to return when they are fit. The fast bowling lineup is likely to be led by Kagiso Rabada, with Wiaan Mulder as the all-rounder.
In terms of conditions, Conrad indicated that they might adapt their strategy depending on the pitch. In Dhaka, they may opt for three seamers, while in Chattogram, the conditions might favor spinners.
Proteas’ WTC Ambitions and Challenges
Despite the team being in transition, Conrad remains hopeful about South Africa’s chances in the WTC. The coach acknowledged that while the Proteas are still finding their footing in the longest format of the game, the possibility of playing in a WTC final is motivating the players.
“We’ve got a big couple of months ahead of us to grow as a Test team. At the end of that, if we do very well and win enough games, we can end up in the World Test Championship final,” Conrad said. He added that the final, to be held at Lord’s in June next year, is a significant incentive for the team.
Bangladesh Series
- Match 1: Dhaka, starting October 21, 2024
- Match 2: Chattogram, starting October 29, 2024
- Venue Information:
- Dhaka: The Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka has a seating capacity of around 25,000 and is known for favoring spinners, although seamers have had some success in recent years. The pitch tends to get slower as the game progresses, making it challenging for batters.
- Chattogram: The Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, with a capacity of around 22,000, also provides a challenge for batsmen with its low and slow pitches. However, it offers more bounce than Dhaka, making it somewhat more favorable to fast bowlers.
Player Details and Key Performances
Aiden Markram has been a consistent performer for the Proteas, with his aggressive stroke play and ability to anchor innings. His experience will be crucial in the upcoming series, especially given the tricky conditions in Bangladesh. Tony de Zorzi, who has shown promise as an opener, will be another key player to watch, having made impressive scores of 78, 45, and 39 in the recent series against the West Indies.
Skipper Temba Bavuma continues to lead from the front, having top-scored with 86 in the first Test against the West Indies. His leadership and batting prowess will be vital as the Proteas navigate their way through these crucial matches.
On the bowling side, Kagiso Rabada remains a mainstay of the attack. Known for his lethal pace and ability to extract bounce from even the flattest of pitches, Rabada will play a crucial role in Bangladesh. Wiaan Mulder, as an all-rounder, provides balance to the team, offering both seam bowling and valuable contributions with the bat.
Challenges Facing the Proteas
While the Proteas have shown glimpses of their potential, there remain challenges, particularly in the batting department. Conrad admitted that the batting lineup still needs time to mature, especially when compared to the more experienced bowling attack. “The batting is still our Achilles heel,” Conrad said, highlighting the need for the younger batters to gain more experience in the five-day format.
The lack of centuries during their recent series against the West Indies is a concern. However, there were encouraging signs, with Tony de Zorzi showing consistency at the top of the order and Aiden Markram notching up a half-century in the second Test. The key to their success in Bangladesh will lie in building partnerships and putting up competitive totals on challenging wickets.
Future Series: Sri Lanka and Pakistan
After their series against Bangladesh, the Proteas will return home to face Sri Lanka and Pakistan in two-Test series. These matches will be equally important in their quest to reach the WTC final. Sri Lanka, currently ranked third in the WTC standings, will be a formidable opponent, especially given their spin-friendly conditions.
Pakistan, known for their unpredictable yet talented squad, will also present a significant challenge. South Africa will need to bring their A-game, especially in the batting department, to secure victories in these home series.
World Test Championship: The Ultimate Goal
For Conrad and his team, the World Test Championship represents the pinnacle of success in Test cricket. Unlike other formats, where World Cups provide a clear goal, Test cricket has long lacked a defined tournament structure. The introduction of the WTC has changed that, giving Test-playing nations something to strive for at the end of each cycle.
“The WTC final is like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,” Conrad said. “It’s not the only reason we play Test cricket, but it’s a good thing that there is something for Test teams to aim for at the end of each cycle.”
Conclusion
As the Proteas prepare for their series against Bangladesh, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With a spot in the World Test Championship final still within reach, every match from now on will be crucial. Coach Shukri Conrad and his team will be banking on a strong performance in Bangladesh to kick-start their journey to the final.
