Shukri Conrad says the Proteas deserve their flowers

Proteas Test coach Shukri Conrad believes that the national team should get more plaudits when they put in praiseworthy performances.

Conrad noted a seemingly muted reaction to a dominant Proteas win over India in the Boxing Day Test.

Reach for the sky and get payouts up to 20 000x your bet with Aviator and Betway. Bet now!

Proteas deserve their flowers

He said that while this was a team effort, he felt that certain standout performers deserved to be lauded.

ALSO READ: India fined and docked World Test Championship points

There were high-quality individual performances from the likes of Dean Elgar, David Bedingham and Marco Jansen in their batting effort and the bowling attack operated in harmony to be a consistent threat.

Kagiso Rabada led the attack in the first innings while Nandre Burger shone across both innings and was instrumental in clinching an innings win.

ALSO READ: Dean Elgar and debutants get A grades from Proteas coach

“Obviously we put the team first, but we also want to start highlighting performances from individuals that can put our name up in lights,” Conrad said after the game.

“We drool about a lot of players internationally and maybe it’s time we started drooling about our own players.

ALSO READ: Temba Bavuma out, Dean Elgar to captain Proteas in final Test

“We’ve proven that we can produce players, but for far too long – and this is not being ‘windgat’ in any way – sometimes we are too humble as a group,” Conrad said.

“We are so quick to talk up other players and we don’t give our players enough credit – like the debutants this week, and Dean – these guys were absolutely phenomenal.”

ALSO READ: How cricket star handles social media abuse

An inexperienced group

Conrad has had to pick an exceptionally green Proteas squad for a Test tour to New Zealand.

“Firstly, I would like to congratulate the players that will be going on a Proteas tour for the first time. It is a real honour to represent your country, so they should savour the moment,” said Conrad in a press statement.

“The players picked for this tour have every chance of challenging New Zealand and we have full confidence they will do exactly that when we arrive for the first Test match at Mount Maunganui.

“Most of these guys participated in the recent ‘A’ series against West Indies where they showed that they have what it takes against players of international calibre. That experience will no doubt leave them in a better position for what we expect to be a testing series in New Zealand.”

Proteas Test squad for New Zealand tour

Neil Brand (captain, Titans), David Bedingham (Western Province), Ruan de Swardt (North West Dragons), Clyde Fortuin (Rocks), Zubayr Hamza (Lions), Tshepo Moreki (Lions), Mihlali Mpongwana (Western Province), Duanne Olivier (Lions), Dane Paterson (Western Province), Keegan Petersen (Rocks), Dane Piedt (Knights), Raynard van Tonder (North West Dragons), Shaun von Berg (Rocks) and Khaya Zondo (Dolphins)