Latest news with #ShukriConrad
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
'They create their own realities. None are champions': SA coach attacks India, Australia, England; quashes 'Big 3' label
South Africa's emphatic World Test Championship victory at Lord's has done more than silence critics. As the Proteas returned home to a hero's welcome at OR Tambo International Airport, head coach Shukri Conrad delivered a strong response to the narrative that his team had taken an easier route to the final. Much of the pre-final chatter, particularly from sections of the Australian and UK media, questioned the Proteas' credentials. Critics pointed to South Africa's WTC fixtures, alleging they had not faced enough of the 'Big Three' – India, Australia, and England – to justify their place in the final. This, despite the Proteas having played India earlier in the WTC cycle. Conrad, however, wasn't interested in debating perceptions. 'They create their own realities, and unfortunately, none of them are (Test) champions,' he told 'We are the Test champions now, so I feel absolutely nothing about the top three. I don't believe that there is a top three.' South Africa had not only reached the final with a seven-match unbeaten streak but also outplayed Australia in the title clash to earn the mace. Despite the disparity in experience – Australia fielded stalwarts like Steve Smith and Nathan Lyon, both of whom have crossed the 100-Test mark – South Africa never considered themselves underdogs. The Proteas' squad, younger and far less experienced on paper, believed in their ability. 'We always felt that we belonged. We never even felt that we were underdogs in any of this. There's never a conversation that happened in any of our team talks,' said Conrad. 'Everybody dubbed Australia as the huge favourites, probably on the back of the experience more than anything else. 'I don't think we ever, ever felt that there is a big three. Only in their own minds is there a big three. We've never felt that there's a big three. We might not have played England or Australia in the build-up to the final, but we managed to play Australia in the final, and we wouldn't have wanted it any other way.'
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Proteas coach Shukri Conrad: WTC victory proves Test cricket is thriving
Markram scored a sensational 136 and Bavuma made an invaluable 66 batting with an injured hamstring at the other end, as the pair shared a pivotal 147-run stand for the third wicket in pursuit of 282 for victory. Skipper Temba Bavuma formed part of the match-winning partnership with Aiden Markram in the fourth innings, as the Proteas emerged emphatic winners. South Africa clinched the WTC final at Lord's on Saturday, beating Australia by five wickets at the home of cricket. Conrad was speaking at the Proteas press conference on Wednesday in Johannesburg, to welcome the team back to South Africa. In the wake of South Africa's breakthrough victory in the World Test Championship ( WTC ) final, Proteas coach Shukri Conrad says Test cricket remains the ultimate for players. The Enduring Significance of Test Cricket According to Shukri Conrad 'I think the big thing and firstly what it shows is that you can only look at the guys in the front here, it remains the best format for them. It's the format that they all hold the dearest,' said Conrad. 'The big spin-off for me is that you've got a strong Test team that plays regularly, that performs as well as we have, then the spin-offs are major for the other formats.' It's often said that Test cricket is dying, while the shorter formats, especially T20, provide the most interest and in income generation for the game. Conrad, though, insisted there is still an important role for Test cricket. 'We know T20 is the most popular, it brings in the money, but you'll have good T20 teams on the back of good Test teams, because your best players remain your best players, whether they play T20 or Test cricket, that's been proven. 'We're very hopeful that going forward it remains the pinnacle of the sport. I think we've seen people fall in love with Test cricket again. 'I've never seen so many people watch Test cricket. I've never seen so many people in the airport before. That's not on the back of a T20, that's on the back of the Test team being as successful as we are.' @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport
The Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald
Proteas' potential ‘scares and excites' me, says coach Shukri Conrad
Proteas coach Shukri Conrad has dismissed talk of a 'big three' in Test cricket comprising Australia, India and England, saying his victorious team belonged at the main table. Critics had spoken about South Africa having an easier path to the World Test Championship final at Lord's last week, where they won by five wickets against Australia, but Conrad brushed that aside. 'I don't think we ever, ever felt that we, that there is a big three [Australia, England and India]. Only in their own minds are there a big three. We've never felt that there's a big three,' the coach told a press conference at Cricket South Africa's headquarters in Johannesburg on Wednesday. 'We might not have played England or Australia in the build-up to the final, but we managed to play Australia in the final and we wouldn't have wanted it any other way.' Temba Bavuma's men beat Australia by five wickets on the fourth day of the decider at Lord's in London.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Proteas coach Shukri Conrad: There's so more to come from this Test team
Proteas coach Shukri Conrad enjoys the moment upon arrival at OR Tambo Airport on Wednesday. Photo: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media Image: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media Proteas coach Shukri Conrad feels that that there is more that the Test team have to offer, despite despite their brilliant performance at Lord's last week to clinch the World Test Championship crown. South Africa beat Australia by five wickets, a team currently ranked No 1 in the world in the ICC rankings. Fans flocked to OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday to welcome the Proteas Test team after a successful trip to the United Kingdom, where they broke the country's 27-year trophy drought. However, upon the Test team's arrival in Johannesburg on Wednesday from London, Conrad reiterated his belief that the world is yet to see the full potential of his team. 'We won comfortably in the end, and I still don't think we played as well as we can play. I mean, Aiden's (Markram) probably played his best Test knock. I don't think South Africa's seen a better Test innings. KG (Ngidi), Lungi (Ngidi), all of these,' Conrad said. 'I can name the guys that have performed in this Test match, but there's so much else sitting in this change-room that scares me. 'It excites me at the same time as to where we can go with this group. 'I'm really looking forward to the next couple of years.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The Home of South African Cricket📍🏢 Our ICC World Test Champions arriving at the Cricket South Africa Head Office following their historic conquest of the World Test Championship 🏆🔥. #WTCFinal #ProteasWTCFinal #WozaNawe — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 18, 2025 One of the key elements of this Test team that has played a key role in the side bringing the ICC mace back home is the trust that they have in each other. From the coach Conrad to the captain Temba Bavuma and the rest of the team, there is belief and backing that every individual is capable of getting the job done when called upon. Conrad highlighted that not a lot was said when SA were bowled out for 138 in the first innings or in any instance where the team had their backs against the wall, which could be attributed to the responsibility placed in every individual in the team. Moreover, just as at Lord's last week, different players stood out and made significant contributions throughout the two-year cycle leading up to the final. A triumphant reception awaited the Proteas at O.R. Tambo International Airport, where crowds gathered to give the national team a hero's welcome after they were victorious at the World Test Championship. 📷: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers#Proteas #cricket… — IOL News (@IOL) June 18, 2025 'I think we knew we were behind, but again, the hallmark of this team is the ability to stand up, and different guys can stand up when the occasion demands,' the SA coach said. 'When you need your Rolls-Royce to come purring down the street, then he does that, and I'm talking about Kagiso Rabada. There was no talk. 'But even before then, a nine-over spell, I've never seen Lungi bowl as much as that in his life. 'But that spell of Lungi (where he took 3/35, including the big scalp of Steve Smith) pretty much turned over the Test match in our favour. 'The world's best batsman (Smith), he stood between us chasing 280 and maybe 380, and Lungi's spell, again, on the back of criticism and all of these things... 'Our guys just know when to stand up, and this is the hallmark of this team. Different guys do it when it is required of everybody.' Although some of the stalwarts such as Rabada will be rested, the Proteas are back in action soon in a two-Test away series in Zimbabwe. The first clash starts on June 28 at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘We create our own reality and are Test champions now': South Africa coach Shukri Conrad
South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad has stated that the team's triumph in the World Test Championship final shows that they are as good as any team in the world in the longest format of the game even if they may not have the financial might. South Africa beat defending champions Australia by six wickets at a time when their Test future was becoming a topic of conversation. 'If you have a Test team that is strong and plays regularly, that has spin-offs for the other formats,' Conrad told reporters. 'When you have a good test team, you'll have good teams in (white ball cricket) because a good player is a good player.' South Africa were considered the underdogs ahead of the final, largely due to Australia's pedigree to win big titles and their own rather infamous record in big matches of tournaments. Their victory ended a nearly three-decade trophy drought despite the country producing some all-time greats in the intervening period. 'We don't feel like underdogs and we believe we are one of the top teams in the world,' said Conrad. 'We may not have played Australia and England in the league phase (of the World Test Championship) but we played Australia in the final and would not have had it any other way. 'We feel we belong at the main table. (Being underdogs) was never a conversation in our team meetings. Everyone dubbed Australia as favourites, perhaps on the back of their experience more than anything else. But we create our own reality and are the test champions now,' he said. The Cape Town international airport was packed to the rafters for three tiers as Temba Bavuma's Proteas landed home after winning the World Test Championship. In a chaotic reception, the trophy-winning South Africans were stopped every few metres as Marco Jansen signed every single autograph request and 'OH Temba Bavuma' choruses rung with the whole airport joining in after the cricket team broke the dark spell of 27 years.
