Proteas Coach Shukri Conrad Fires Back at Cricket’s ‘Big Three’ Snub Ahead of WTC Final

Proteas coach Shukri Conrad has included fast bowler Kagiso Rabada in the squad for the World Test Championship final against Australia and has emphasised that they view Australia no more than Pakistan or any other Test team. 

Conrad hits back at self-proclaimed 'Big Three' 

South Africa barely received recognition from the rest of the cricketing world when they booked a spot in next month's World Test Championship final before any other team did. 

With almost a 70 per cent win rate in the two-year-long World Test Championship cycle, the Proteas finished at the top of the World Test Championship table. 

Despite having faced India, New Zealand, West Indies, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the cycle, somehow South Africa's journey to the final just did not impress the rest of the world. 

Although South Africa does not pick and choose their opponents in the cycle, the rest of the world simply refused to hand Temba Bavuma's young Proteas the flowers they deserve, having lost only one series in two years while winning away in West Indies and Bangladesh and finishing the cycle without a series loss at home. 

Many, including the likes of former England captain Michael Vaughan, believed that because South Africa did not face England and Australia in the cycle, a feat South Africa had very little influence in, they somehow had an easier cycle. 

However, Proteas coach Shukri Conrad was quick to hit back at the rest of the world for not giving his side their deserved recognition. 

After announcing his 15-player squad that will travel to London for the final on Tuesday in Johannesburg, Conrad hit back once again, saying that India, England and Australia are only the 'Big Three' because they dubbed themselves to be. 

"No, I think only in their minds have they dubbed themselves the big three. I don't think anybody else has," said the 58-year-old. 

Conrad emphasised that their preparation will not be different for the final just because they face Australia, and that they view the Aussies the same way they view Pakistan or any of the sides that they faced in the cycle. 

"We don't prepare any differently, we certainly don't respect Pakistan less than we do Australia, as we do India. Everything stays the same," said Conrad. 

"It's great that it's Australia because we haven't played them in a while, and it doesn't provide us with more motivation. If you're looking for more motivation, then you're probably in the right state of mind anyway."

"You don't need motivation to play for South Africa; you don't need motivation to play in finals. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. I think Australia is the one side that everybody wants to topple, but preparation won't be any different." 

Proteas Squad for the Final 

Kagiso Rabada has been included in the squad for the final as the fast bowler served his one-month suspension, having tested positive for a banned substance earlier this year. 

Conrad kept the same squad that he had used for the majority of the cycle. The only change was fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, who returned to the squad for the final in place of youngster Kwena Maphaka, who just doesn't have the experience to play in such a big fixture. 

Fast bowler Corbin Bosch has kept his place in the squad despite there being talks of Anrich Nortje and Gerald Coetzee possibly returning to the squad for the final having missed out on the majority of the cycle for a host of different reasons. 

On the batting front, the 58-year-old provided clarity on who will be opening alongside Aiden Markram, as Ryan Rickelton's double century while opening in the New Year's Test against Pakistan left many wondering if he would be replaced by Tony de Zorzi, who had been filling that role for the majority of the cycle. 

Conrad highlighted that Rickelton will open the batting with De Zorzi's role in the side set to be determined closer to the start of the match. 

South Africa squad - ICC Men’s World Test Championship Final 2025

Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, and Kyle Verreynne.