Coach Shukri Conrad expecting Proteas to deliver in Test series against West Indies

The Proteas last contested a Test series in New Zealand where they lost both matches but were without a host of their first-choice players who were playing in the SA20.

The main Test team played together when they drew a home series against India in January.

Conrad's charges have been in the Caribbean for just over a week and have had a four-day warm-up match in preparation for the two-match series.

The Proteas mentor said: "We know the calibre of players we have at our disposal, it is just about them finding that ideal prep, and then believing that whatever we have done was more than adequate.

"We certainly won't have any excuses with regards to our prep or lack of playing time. We believe in our skillset, we know that we are a quality Test side.

"Runs on the board will be critical, (having) guys bat for periods, and then putting spells together, which is the basics of Test match cricket.

"And against the West Indies in these conditions, (we need to) be able to perform those basics for extended periods and be ultra-disciplined in everything we do."

The Proteas are still mulling on how to balance their starting XI for the first Test with Conrad expecting the Queens Park Oval to offer something to the spin bowlers.

Dane Piedt could join Keshav Maharaj in a double-spin attack or batters Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs could be asked to do more bowling if one specialist spinner is selected.

Conrad added: "The balance of the side is going to be important. We know it's gonna spin. Everything tells us it's gonna spin â- the question is how early or how late...

"If it spins as much as we think, then yes, Aiden can become effective. The same with someone like Stubbo.

"That's going to be the trick, balancing the attack â- how many batters we play and obviously the amount of seamers we choose."

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