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IOL News
15-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Proteas coach Shukri Conrad delivers perfect Lord's Father's Day present with Aussie victory
Proteas coach Shuki Conrad holds aloft the ICC Test on the Lord's balcony. Picture: Zaahier Adams/Independent Media Image: Zaahier Adams/Independent Media LONDON: As the most poignant juncture in South Africa's cricket history drew closer and the emotions were running at an all-time high, Shukri Conrad took a step back for a moment of reflection. It's been just two months since Conrad's father, Sedick - one the finest cricketers of his generation - passed on. 'Ta Dickie', as he was affectionately known, was Conrad's biggest supporter, and, of course, also his biggest critic. He was immensely proud when his son, Shukri, was appointed Proteas coach and of the hot streak they had enjoyed in qualifying for the World Test Championship Final at Lord's. He would undoubtedly have been smiling down from the heavens above on the most glorious of Saturdays at Lord's when Temba Bavuma lifted the ICC golden mace after beating the arch-enemy Australia to be crowned world champions. Proteas coach Shukri Conrad with his late dad, Sedick Conrad. Picture: Supplied Image: Picture: Supplied 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. 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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. Next Stay Close ✕ 'With two runs to go I remember the old man saying to me: 'I just want to see you beat Australia one day,' Conrad said after the five-wicket victory that set off immense celebrations both in London and back home in South Africa. This Proteas Test side have certainly been challenged both on and off the field during this past WTC cycle. It was not only Conrad's father that had passed, but batting coach Ashwell Prince's wife Melissa lost her battle with cancer on the eve of the New Year Test at Newlands. Many of the players attended the funeral in support of the Prince family, and it is due to such humbling events that has caused this Proteas group to form a special bond that has managed to get them through the toughest times on the park - like when they faced a deficit of 74 runs on the first innings at Lord's before ultimately triumphing by five wickets. 'It's not something we try and do but all of these things happen organically you know,' Conrad said. 'It's not something that we reference in a team chat or in a team huddle but the guys just naturally would reach out to either me or Ash to have a gesture of some sort.' All of these events have made the taste of success even sweeter with Conrad ecstatic for a group of players that many had not given a chance prior to coming to Lord's. 'When Scholesey (Kyle Verryenne) smacked that one it was just like an outpour of emotion,' he said. 'Everyone is thrilled for these guys, so happy for them and then something we never talk about, we never talk about what it means to the country but today we can talk about that, I mean this means a hell of a lot to the country. 'I mean it's the most amazing feeling, obviously a lot of teams in different formats have got close and not got over the line. I think in some perverse sort of way, guys like Aiden and Temba having experience the heartache and yeah the trauma of not getting over the line, they become more experienced at handling pressure situations like this. Independent Media's Zaahier Adams was at Lord's covering the ICC World Test Championship final. Picture: Independent Media Image: Independent Media
IOL News
12-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Lord's hums to 'Ole, Ole, Ole' as World Test Championship Final kicks off in grand style
Lord's was overflowing with Proteas fans on Day 1 of the World Test Championship Final in London. Picture: Zaahier Adams/Independent Media Image: Picture: Zaahier Adams/Independent Media There is a hush around the famous old ground. Everyone is waiting in eager anticipation. The coin goes up in the air. Heads is the call. It feels like an eternity before it hits the Lord's turf. Match referee Javagal Srinath picks it up and walks over to Temba Bavuma. The Proteas captain has called correctly. A big cheer goes out from particularly the Mount Stand, which has been transformed into Castle Corner here at St John's Wood. Bavuma alludes to it when the skipper says "we can hear the South African accents in the stands" after opting to unleash his quicks Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen first. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ The ICC have hauled out the greats from both teams' legendary eras of the past. Hashim Amla and Matthew Hayden, sporting a cowboy hat of such magnitude it would put Chuck 'Walker Texas Ranger' Norris' to shame, were called upon to walk out the ICC golden mace. Even Boeta Dippenaar was spotted, dressed in his full 2005 '438' ODI kit, while Brett Schultz is still a cult hero after all these years. It's a real pity Steve Waugh was not in attendance though. Waugh has traditionally riled up South Africans with his sharp tongue, particularly when he sledged Herschelle Gibbs with the infamous line 'You have just dropped the World Cup' up the M1 here back in 1999. But his most recent barb that South Africans 'don't care about Test cricket' really hit a nerve for everyone from Cape Town to Camden that has any links to Mzansi has found their way down the Jubilee Line to witness 'The Ultimate Test' in the flesh. The table was now set for an absorbing day's cricket. 'Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time spots. That's who I want to be.' That was an oft saying from former NFL superstar Aaron Donald. Kagiso Rabada (L) celebrates taking the wicket of Australia's Cameron Green during Day 1 of the ICC World Test Championship at Lord's Picture: Glyn Kirk/AFP Image: Glyn Kirk/AFP He may as well have been referring to Kagiso Rabada. The Proteas' spearhead has had to get a new set of headphones so loud has the noise been around him heading into this WTC Final. But from the moment 'KG' charged in from the Nursery End with the new ball, the only noise now being heard was the chants from the 'Saffas' every time he took a wicket. They had five glorious opportunities to stretch their vocal cords with Rabada carving his name onto the Lord's honours board for a second time with a five-star performance. The 'gees' in the stands was now at an all-time high with the London mid-afternoon sun peaking its head out over the old Father Time weathercrane. For a few moments Lord's may even have been The Wanderers with 'Ole, Ole, Ole' reverberating around the hallowed old ground. Independent Media's Zaahier Adams will be at Lord's for the World Test Championship bringing you all the news, videos and podcasts. Picture: Independent Media Image: Independent Media
IOL News
09-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Lord's will be humming when the WTC final gets underway, says Proteas coach Shukri Conrad
Proteas coach Shukri Conrad ahead of the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Photo: Zaahier Adams Independent Media Image: Zaahier Adams Independent Media LONDON: Embrace the grandeur of the occasion. That's Shukri Conrad's message to his young Proteas team as they prepare to face Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. An 'ordinary' Test at Lord's – if such a thing exists – is customarily associated by pomp or splendour. The Members Pavillion is adorned with males in navy blue blazers with gold buttons with their necks held up by red and yellow ties – affectionately known as egg and bacon in these parts – that smells of opulence and inheritance. And the rest of the stands from the Mount to the Tavern are filled with London's most swanky sipping French champagne in crystal glasses. It's a far cry from wearing shorts and plakkies whilst finishing off a boerie and beer on the Centurion grass banks. ALL ROADS LEAD TO LORD'S .... Feel it, it is here ... just a couple more days before the Proteas go head-to-head with Australia in the World Test Championship final at the Home of Cricket...@IOLsport @IOL @ProteasMenCSA @ICC — Zaahier Adams (@ZaahierAdams) June 9, 2025 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 'It is a huge occasion. We can't wish it away,' Conrad told the media, at the Thomas Lord Suite on Tuesday. 'It's difficult not to get the place out of your system. We've almost taken the, 'let's embrace it, whatever comes with it' approach. It's going to be humming, well, two days' time. 'We'll probably be enjoying the majority of the support. I think all the English will be supporting us as well. And just to really embrace the occasion. 'There are going to be nerves. The excitement levels are starting to ramp up, as you well aware. So, yeah, it's a great occasion, and I'd rather be part of it than not.' There are few individuals that have experienced the Lord's spectacle more than former England fast bowler Stuart Broad. Furthermore, Broad was a prime antagonist of the Aussies in hey day too, and it may just have been another Conrad masterstroke to rope in 'Broady' – even if it was just to get under the skin of Pat Cummins' men. 'It was enlightening (the dinner with Broad),' Conrad said. 'We met last night, the coaching group with Broadie. 'It was just a casual chat. And if I didn't call time at 10.30, I think he'd probably still be sitting there chatting to us. Independent Media's Zaahier Adams will be at Lord's for the World Test Championship bringing you all the news, videos and podcasts. Picture: Independent Media Image: Independent Media 'Some of the conversations that we had last night, you know, (was about) taking it in, just making sure you settle yourself down. And, yeah, rather than wish it away, we talked through these things. 'So, really enlightening, really casual. And everybody walked away there like, yeah, that was great, Broadie included.' Conrad steered away from his customary penchant of naming the team his team in the media prior to the start of the Test, indicating that there is still plenty of thought going into getting the starting XI just right for the conditions. The clouds have hovered over the famous old ground all week, whilst the Father Time weathervane overlooking the ground has been swivelling due to a blustery wind. However, the forecast does predict temperatures touching the 30-degree mark for the majority of the Test which may bring the spinners more into the equation as the Test draws on. 'Obviously the new ball is critical. But then also, there's been a lot of talk about when the lacquer comes off the ball. Talking around over 10 maybe,' Conrad explained. 'And you obviously still need guys that are as effective with that ball when the lacquer comes off and it tends to swing a little bit more. So that will be a consideration. The bounce here with the older ball can be a little bit inconsistent, can be a bit slower. 'Than what we're normally accustomed to. So those would be the considerations. Obviously not a venue where spin is a massive factor in terms of wickets taken. 'But it's shown that spinners can play a role here. Both as wicket-takers and doing an important holding role as well for your seamers to be effective. 'So I think those are pretty much the conversations that have happened. And based on all of that, we'll structure our bowling attack accordingly.'
IOL News
30-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Q & A: Graeme Smith on his love for Lord's, the Aussies and Proteas spearhead Kagiso Rabada
GRAEME Smith and other Proteas legends speaking at the current squad's send off ahead of the departure to the World Test Championship final at Lord's. | Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers Image: Itumeleng English/independent Newspapers Independent Media's Zaahier Adams, who will be covering the World Test Championship final between the Proteas and Australia at Lord's, sits down exclusively with former captain Graeme Smith. Smith shares his vast experience of the unique challenge of facing Australia, the charms of Lord's, and speculates about the make-up of the Proteas starting XI… ZA: Graeme, we here at the Betway SA20 office, how is the day job going these days? It's actually unbelievable the amount of people that think when our season finishes that the work comes to an end. You get asked, what are you doing now? I've got a really good team at SA20 and working hard already on hopefully improving a number of things and getting things right for Season 4. ZA: But before that gets underway, there's quite a big thing happening in South African cricket the next couple of weeks, the World Test Championship final, with the Proteas playing for the golden mace, something you know a little bit about … I've been fortunate to get my hands on the mace a few times. The thing about the mace is to get there and get your hands on it, the amount of toil and hard work that goes into achieving that No 1 status in Test cricket. Travelling the world, you've got to have a team that can handle pressure for five days, that can handle the mental state and perform the skills consistently in many different conditions. It's a reward of performance over a period of time. It's great that South Africa are back in that place with the opportunity to get their hands on it. Graeme Smith PROTEAS legend Grame Smith. | Itumeleng English/independent Newspapers Image: Itumeleng English/independent Newspapers ZA: The opposition is none other than the arch-enemy Australia. A team you enjoyed many a battle with. So, let's rewind to your debut series in 2001, you receive a verbal barrage, and you speak about it publicly afterwards… It came back to a bit of innocence as well, naivety. I think for me, playing against that great Australian team, making my debut as a youngster at 21 years old, and then performing reasonably well in a cauldron like that when it was so highly pressurised, The (Australian) attack was probably one of the better attacks I've ever played against … (Jason) Gillespie, (Brett) Lee, (Shane) Warne, (Glenn) McGrath. And of course, Steve Waugh was still there, that old school hard Australian style. I think for me, just doing an interview afterwards, I was actually speaking out of excitement. I learnt a valuable lesson because the reporter took advantage of it and it became a big thing. Independent Media's Zaahier Adams will be at Lord's covering the ICC World Test Championship final. Picture: Independent Media Image: Independent Media ZA: Four years later, you are now captain of the Proteas heading Down Under. And you take a lot of the responsibility on yourself both on and off the field. Do you feel it is key that the captain has to lead the way when facing Australia? I think as you grow, you balance things. At the time, we were a team that probably wasn't good enough to go and win in Australia. A lot of players going there for the first time. It was a valuable lesson for me, that tour. It was my first experience of touring Australia. Yes, I tried to take a few things extra on my shoulders. We fought hard in that series. I think for me, a lot of valuable lessons that I took away, that really helped frame us going back there in 08-09 and how we wanted to go about it. Building the type of team that can go there to be successful. (3:56) What are the challenges you need to overcome? (3:58) A lot of hard lessons on that first tour that were tough, (4:01) that ultimately framed the future successes. ZA: You finally climbed Everest in 2008. You beat the Aussies on their home patch. The celebrations in Melbourne were extremely special. What did that mean to you as a group to go there after all the hardship that had gone before? Winning at probably one of their most iconic stadiums, winning the series at the MCG. When you start on Boxing Day, you walk out there, you're like, wow, this is just an incredible coliseum to perform in. Then winning for the first time in Australia was just an amazing moment. I had watched teams and been a part of a team that had gone there and suffered at the hands heavily. It's a hard tour. The media is tough. The crowds are tough. They're an incredible cricket nation, a lot of outstanding players. It's a huge hurdle to overcome. I think it was so important that South African Cricket broke that barrier down in 08-09. There's an image that I'll never forget of getting onto the team bus and Jacques Kallis is all emotional and in tears. For him, it had been such a tough run and now he'd overcome it. There was JP Duminy bouncing on him on his first ever tour. He was like, what's all this fuss about? The Proteas claimed the ICC Test mace at Lord's under Smith's leadership in 2012. Picture: AFP Image: AFP ZA: And then you head back in 2012, and do it all over again! By then we were a team that had come together. We had some incredible bowlers. A great attack. We had depth with Kallis as an all-rounder and De Villiers performing and another all-rounder in JP. We also had a batting unit where the majority of the guys averaged close to 50 or over 50. We built a culture, we built a value system. We knew what we stood for and the performances just followed. ZA: It all basically reached a crescendo at Lords in 2012, and you lift the mace. The Proteas are the best team in the world. Just that experience, the Lords' experience. How does this young Proteas side going there now, how do they cope with the enormity of the situation? There's a lot of experience around South African cricket now. Maybe that's something we can get better at is the sharing of knowledge and experience of what was important for us. For example, arriving at Lords, there can be a lot of fanfare because it's people's first experience of the museum, the ground, the traditions that come with it, the Members Stand. Often, it's about getting those little things out of the way and dealing with it pre-game. It is just an amazing place to go and play cricket and to have a final, a World Championship final there, adds to the occasion. Hopefully the South African team really just recognises the opportunity and is determined to go and do well. ZA: What are the biggest challenges facing the Proteas? We know that they've got certain challenges they're going to need to overcome against a very successful Australian team. They're the underdogs. But what an opportunity. It would be fantastic to see, in a one-off Test match, they give it everything and perform their skills. ZA: How do you approach a once-off Test match? Obviously, preparation is key. I think for the underdog team it's a benefit. If you can get your stuff together and a couple of players or you get a batting unit that suddenly posts a total or your bowlers get you into the game, it really is. Over a three to five test match series, you expect the better teams to get better and better. The pressure over a lengthy period of time will take its toll on a team that's maybe got a few gaps. But in a once-off, you've got six days to really get it together and perform your skills. Graeme Smith has the highest score by an overseas batter at Lord's. Picture: AFP Image: AFP ZA: How do you think Temba Bavuma, as captain of the Proteas, needs to front up to the Aussies? I think Temba will go about it his own way. He's not a guy that shouts from the rooftops. He's calm, assured. The most important thing for Temba is his performance with the bat. There's a lot of players in that line-up that can bat around a Temba, and with his consistent performance of late, if he can take that into the game, it really does calm things down and settle things down for the rest of the unit. Then tactically, I think it's going to be important to see how they go about it, him and Shuks, in terms of selection. What's the type of bowling line-up they're going to put together? What's the weather? What's the pitch look like? Try and put combinations together that can really hurt Australia. ZA: In 2012, we saw the importance of JP Duminy and Vernon Philander scoring valuable runs at Nos 7 and 8. Do the Proteas stack their side again with the all-rounders? Just watching Shuks, he is a little bit unpredictable in terms of his selections, but I do think that he likes those options in terms of having a few more options with the ball and batting a little bit deeper. Depending on the weather, I would always be very nervous at Lord's to go without a spin option. Kesh (Maharaj) has been an outstanding option for Temba. If the sun does come out, sometimes that pitch can get good and you'll need someone to control the game as well. That's often the nuance as a captain and a coach is trying to find that balance in your XI. ZA: If you had a message to this young Proteas side before easily the biggest game of their lives, what would that message be to that group of players? Well, motivation shouldn't be an issue for the guys getting there. If you're not motivated, then there's something wrong. A lot of work probably needs to go into handling of situations, how they're going to handle the media, what's going to be their messages. Getting used to the Duke ball what are the key factors that they want to get right in the Test Match from a strategy perspective. Focusing on that and then putting all things on the table. I think one of the great things about the team that we built when travelling to Australia, we actually built in things to deal with. Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen will be influential for the Proteas at Lord's. Picture: AFP Image: AFP
IOL News
10-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Robin Williams has Antalya in a frenzy after charging into second at Turkish Airlines Open
South Africa's Robin Williams tees of the first hole on Round 3 at the Turkish Airlines Open with China's Li Haotong looking on. Picture: Zaahier Adams/Independent Media Image: Zaahier Adams/Independent Media ANTALYA: Robin Williams mania has overtaken the Regnum Carya Golf Resort and Spa here in Antalya, Türkiye after the young South African charged down the back nine to stay in the hunt in second place heading into the final day at the DP World Tour's Turkish Airlines Open. Williams was mobbed by both teenage boys and girls seeking his autograph and a selfie after the 23-year-old went into overdrive by birdying five of the last nine holes on his third round on Saturday. After faulting with two bogeys and just one birdie on the front nine, Williams slipped down to six-under at the halfway house, and in real danger of falling out of contention. But that's when Williams pulled himself towards himself with a birdie spree, which included holding a solid 20 feet put on the 18th, to finish on an impressive 4-under 67 to take hold of a three-way second place along with China's Li Haotong and Spaniard Jorge Campillo. The trio are chasing frontrunner Brandon Thompson Robinson after the Englishman scorched through the field on Saturday with a course record-equalling 62 (-9) for an overall 14-under-par. 'Yeah, the back nine, I feel like there's more scoring opportunities and more birdie opportunities than the front nine,' Williams exclusively told Independent Media. 'So I knew I was playing the back nine well. And if I can just give myself chances, because I was hitting good putts on the front nine, just not really making it and missed a few short ones for par there. 'But I knew once I kind of get into my stride, then hopefully we can move up the leaderboard. 'It's amazing (to be in contention). It's all you can dream for at night for us to be there on Sunday, and especially in contention on the back line on Sunday. 'That's going to be my goal tomorrow. And then you're going to see we're going to give it a run, but I'm playing well this weekend. Just going out there and have fun. Robin Williams and his dad Morne, who is on the bag this week, at the Turkish Airlines Open. Picture: Zaahier Adams/Independent Media Image: Zaahier Adams/Independent Media
