Conrad hopes Coetzee can learn to trust his body again

Though not picked for the Proteas’ tour to Namibia, the selection of Gerald Coetzee for the South Africa A squad to face Bangladesh A later in August indicates the important role Shukri Conrad still sees for him ahead of a packed international season.

Coetzee was included in both SA A squads for the four-day and one-day series against Bangladesh, which will be played from August 23, with the Proteas coach stating it was important for the 25-year-old fast bowler to learn to trust his body after a litany of injury problems, which have blighted his career.

“He obviously has a burning desire to play for the Proteas again in Tests and ODIs,” said Conrad. “He has a chequered injury history and he needs to learn to trust his body and then in turn we get to trust him.”

Coetzee played the last of his four Tests two years ago against Sri Lanka in Durban, but missed the remainder of that season after injuring his groin in that match.

He was supposed to travel to the Champions Trophy last year but suffered a hip injury and then, when called up for the one-off T20 International against Namibia in October last year, he hurt a pectoral muscle and left that game after bowling just nine balls.

He played in all five T20 internationals in New Zealand in March, taking seven wickets and was then chosen for the SA A side’s one-day series against the England Lions in March, where he picked up five wickets in two matches.

“In England he was offered a [county contract] and he pretty much asked me to play in the SA A side rather than play in the UK because he wants to impress. We are all hopeful that all the injuries are something of the past. Gerald forms a huge part of our attack going forward,” said Conrad.

“We all know what Gerald is capable of. I’ve always been a huge fan. He was one of the first guys [I selected] when I took the Test coaching job. Nothing has changed from my side about how I see him and what he can bring to the party.”

The Proteas play 10 Tests, nine ODIs and three T20 internationals this season, which will put a strain on South Africa’s playing resources, especially among the fast bowlers.

Unsurprisingly Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen weren’t selected for the tour of Namibia at the end of August. Rabada and Ngidi are building their fitness ahead of the international season, while Jansen is completing The Hundred in England.

Jansen’s twin brother Duan earned his maiden Proteas call up for a tour that sees South Africa compete with Namibia and Zimbabwe in a triangular T20 series followed by a ODI series between the hosts and a South African team that will be captained by Bjorn Fortuin.

“He operates somewhat in the shadow of his twin brother, but he has all the ingredients of becoming a quality all-rounder. The broader we can make that [all-rounder] base, the better — and if Duan can do half of the things his twin brother does, he will be a wonderful addition to our squad,” said Conrad.

Dewald Brevis, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, fresh off playing in The Hundred in England and Kwena Maphaka are the only three nationally contracted players who will make the trip as Conrad seeks to build depth with one eye on next year’s World Cup.

“It is an ideal opportunity to build some caps among the younger players, so that when they have to step up for bigger series or games, they have 10 or 12 caps to their name.”

The Proteas play the opening match of the Triangular series against the host nation at the Namibia Cricket Ground on August 28 and will face Zimbabwe at the same venue the following day.

Meanwhile, Marques Ackerman will captain the SA A side against Bangladesh. The squad includes the leading wicket-taker from last season’s domestic four-day series, Matthew Boast, and top run-scorer, Gavin Kaplan.

They play the first four-day match against Bangladesh A starting on August 23, at the Tuks Oval in Pretoria.

South Africa A Four-Day squad:

Marques Ackerman (capt), Matthew Boast, Okuhle Cele, Gerald Coetzee, Tshepang Dithole, Zubayr Hamza, Gavin Kaplan, Tshepo Moreki, Senuran Muthusamy, Tshepo Ntuli, Meeka-eel Prince, Delano Potgieter, Sinethemba Qeshile, Lesego Senokwane, Codi Yusuf.