Shukri Conrad wants Proteas to 'graft better' when conditions are tough

Conrad watched on as his team completed a 233-run victory in the first Test against Sri Lanka on Saturday at Kingsmead, and while the victory looks comfortable on paper it does not tell the full story.

The hosts found themselves in deep trouble in overcast conditions on the first day when they were put in to bat, slumping to 83-5 before a defiant knock of 70 from captain Temba Bavuma saw the Proteas reach a respectable 191 all out.

The Proteas' bowlers then stepped up as Sri Lanka were bundled out for just 42 and the home side then batted the tourists out of the game before going 1-0 up in the two-match series on the fourth day.

While he was pleased to kick off the home summer with a convincing victory, Conrad highlighted the need for the batters to sum up conditions better, especially when it is tough, and minimise the damage on the scoreboard.

"When the conditions are tough, we need to be better," Conrad said. "We can't just roll over and fold like a pack of cards, like we've had the habit of doing.

"While we're quite a relaxed unit and a lekker bunch of guys, we still want to do tough as well. So, for me, the growth comes when the conditions are tough and we eliminate whatever potential risks there are and sum up the conditions better and do the tough graft better.

"I'm going to excuse the guys because they are an inexperienced group, bar one or two. But we need to learn quickly and we need to learn on the job."

One Proteas batter who is enjoying a rich vein of form with the willow in the longest format is Tristan Stubbs, who followed up his maiden Test century in Bangladesh with 122 in the second innings against the Sri Lankans in Durban, leaping in delight at reaching the milestone to warm appreciation from his teammates.

Conrad has entrusted the 24-year-old with the number three spot in the batting order and the coach's faith is starting to pay off as Stubbs gears up for the second Test against Sri Lanka which will played be at his home ground at St George's Park in Gqeberha from Thursday.

"He celebrated his hundred the way he celebrates when any bowler takes a wicket as well," Conrad said of Stubbs. "And that makes him so special.

"He just loves playing cricket. He loves playing for South Africa. He is the heartbeat of this team."

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