Proteas Boss Shukri Conrad Confirms Talks with Rabada and Bavuma Ahead of Australia and England Tests

Proteas coach Shukri Conrad reveals he has been in conversation with the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Temba Bavuma ahead of what is a big Test summer, where Australia, Bangladesh and England are set to tour South Africa. 

The 59-year-old also praised Marques Ackerman's consistency, citing that he has gotten himself into the conversation for selection for next summer's home Tests. 

Kagiso Rabada

South Africa's premier fast bowler has been firing on all cylinders in the recently concluded Indian Premier League, finishing the competition as the leading wicket-taker and helping his team finish the season as runners-up. 

Conrad told SportsBoom.co.za he has been keeping tabs on the quick, and that he is impressed with the physical and mental shape that he is in ahead of what is a highly anticipated Test summer at home. 

"KG and I, we've been in regular contact and had a nice long chat last week. In fact, I actually had to ask him whether those speed guns were not faulty. I thought maybe it was faulty," Conrad said.  

"But KG's in great nick. He's super confident. He's probably in the best shape of his career physically, and mentally, he's in a really good space as well." 

"He's someone who can't wait for the summer to come around. So, it's great having our premier fast bowler in that sort of form and in that sort of mental space." 

"Whether it is T20 or 50 over, whatever, confidence remains confidence. I'm sure he'll take a nice little break when he gets back, and then he'll start the graft where he starts prepping for the summer." 

"He's a supreme professional when it comes to that. We're just super chuffed for him. I'm really happy for him that he's done as well as he has in the IPL and that he'll bring that confidence with him when next we see each other."

Home Test Summer

Since taking over as Test coach, Conrad will have his first Test series against Australia at home and his first against England. 

Conrad reiterated that the team will be tested and that they are excited to play in front of the home crowd for the first time since winning the World Test Championship at Lord's last year. 

"I don't think there's been a bigger Test summer ever, where you have both Australia and England come to Bangladesh, a resurgent Bangladesh side, who I believe you cannot underestimate. They've got a really good crop of fast bowlers now. So, every series we play this summer is going to be huge," he said. 

"But it's great that we can play at home, spend the entire summer at home, especially after what we achieved last year. But look, we're under no illusions that it's going to be a huge summer. We're going to be tested in a big way. But we're just super excited."

Conrad further revealed that conversations with Test captain Temba Bavuma have already begun as they plot their plan to retain their status as the best Test team in the world. 

"I mean, conversations are happening between the coaches already. Myself and Temba we've initiated conversations with guys at the IPL and all of that," he said. 

"So, everybody's very excited at the prospect of what lies ahead in a couple of months. We can't wait, and great that we're going to be able to play in front of our home crowds."

SportsBoom also recently spoke to Bavuma, where he reflected on the importance of taking both voluntary and enforced breaks to reset mentally and return to international duty with a fresher mindset.

The Next In-Line

Conrad is currently in England with the South Africa 'A' side, a team which has recently whitewashed the England Lions 2-0 in the two-match Four-Day Series in the UK. 

South Africa 'A' captain, Marques Ackerman, has been one of the top performers, with the left-handed batter scoring a century in the opening match of the series. 

In his leadership, Ackerman has won series against West Indies 'A', New Zealand 'A' and drawn an away series against India 'A' last year. 

Conrad says that the 30-year-old has gotten himself into a major conversation for selection for the Test side. 

Conrad also praised the duo of Jordan Hermann and Tiaan van Vuuren, who scored a century and took an eleven-wicket haul respectively to seal the victory in the second Four-Day match against the England Lions.

"I think Marques, in particular, has shown that the levels he's played at, he's actually dominated. So, domestically, he's dominated, and the A space he's pretty much dominated," said Conrad. 

"All the tours he's been on, he's been like a mainstay player for the A side, and look, I think he's made certain that he's part of a major conversation when we sit down to select our squads for what is going to be a massive summer for us, especially as a Test side." 

"I can't sit here now and say he'll definitely be in the squad. We've obviously got to look at quite a few things. The question is always, so who does he replace? There are so many players that people say should be selected. I always ask, well, in whose place do you select him? Marques has definitely put his name up for a major conversation." 

"Similarly, a guy like Jordan Herman has also been doing it now for a while. Tiaan has done everything asked of him when he plays in the A-side. In the second Four-Day, he did exceptionally well. There are definitely all the ingredients and all the attributes there." 

"I think maybe he'll get a bit stronger. He's still a baby, but he's definitely one with a bright future. I reckon he could still get a bit quicker, swings the ball, and he's certainly very handy with the bat. So, I think we've definitely got one for the future there, and we'd obviously like to see him do that domestically and consistently," he concluded.