Proteas Test coach Shukri Conrad happy not to hide behind selectors

With the hiring of Conrad and white-ball coach Rob Walter at the start of the year, Cricket South Africa announced an experiment of eliminating selectors. 

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That, however, does not mean the coaches do not have outside eyes and ears on the composition of their squads.

"I welcomed that with open arms, I wouldn't want it any other way, but it would also be daft of me in not to consult people like Russel Domingo, Haashim Amla, quality people that have been at international level both on the playing field and in the coaching space," said Conrad.

"I've got, on my staff, guys like Ashwell [Prince] and Kruger van Wyk, who've also been on the international scene both as coaches and players.

"And this [squad] is ultimately what I come up with, it's not what they've come up with. It is factoring everything in, and ultimately, yes, the buck stops with me. 

"I'm not going to speak for Rob [Walter], but I'm sure he welcomes this as well, and we wouldn't want it any other way."

The former Lions and Cape Cobras mentor revealed he didn’t need to convince Walter to rest Bavuma and company, following a gruelling month-long ICC World Cup in India last month. 

"It speaks volumes for Rob and my relationship, in terms of how we prioritise and what's best for South African cricket, and the Proteas in particular," he added.

"So it wasn't a long conversation, where we agreed that the Test side is the priority, and so all our quick bowlers will be playing in that four-day game for their Provinces, as well as Temba coming back nice and refreshed."

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