Walter, Conrad strike compromise to help Proteas traverse various formats

Like learning a tricky new dance, Rob Walter and Shukri Conrad need to avoid tripping over each other as they seek to balance the demands of three different formats, among players who need game time, others who need a break and some who don’t want to play, but it would be nice if they could. 

It doesn’t help that some slippery circumstances arise; such as a weakened team for a Test series in New Zealand, because the contracted players have to be available for the lucrative T20 league, or players who are given breaks to participate in T20 leagues, or others who need to take part in training programmes to allow them to get through a season.

Then there’s the importance of giving inexperienced players an opportunity and abiding by CSA racial targets, which can be hard because at domestic level, provinces aren’t finding enough black African players. In addition, the schedule is too busy, but in South Africa’s case there aren’t enough matches, especially in the Test format. 

A simple two step it is not, more like a torturous Russian ballet. 

As South Africa completed its historic Test series triumph in Chattogram on Thursday, limited overs coach Walter, was sharing his views on his latest squad for a four-match T20 series with India that starts next week.     

Three of the players who celebrated success against Bangladesh will be on the field at Kingsmead for the opening match against the T20 World Champions next Friday, which kickstarts the international season on South African soil. 

Walter used Kagiso Rabada as an example of how important the lines of communication are between him and his Test counterpart Conrad. Rabada has played five of the seven Tests for the Proteas this year (missing the series in New Zealand) and nine T20 Internationals. He also played 24 T20 matches in four different leagues, including the IPL, but it is what he has on his plate this season that has made managing his playing time carefully so important.

The priority for Rabada is the four home Tests against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It is also likely he’ll play some role in the ODI series against Pakistan which will be part of the preparation for Champions Trophy in Pakistan next February. Then there is the SA20, in January as well.

“I put myself in Shuks’ shoes, if I was one person doing both jobs and ask, ‘what decision is the best for the Proteas?’ Ultimately it comes down to (Rabada) delivering his best performances when he pulls on the jersey for South Africa. In this instance it is prioritising the Test matches. If his performances help to get us into a World Test Championship final, then that would be awesome. It’s not a difficult conversation,” said Walter. Hence Rabada’s absence from the T20 series with India.

There would be good reason for Keshav Maharaj to take a break too, despite his craft not being as physically demanding as Rabada’s, but in conversation with Walter, Maharaj insisted he was available for the matches against India and he was comfortable it wouldn't compromise his preparation for the back-to-back Tests against Sri Lanka, which includes one at his home ground in Durban. 

There are complications elsewhere. Tabraiz Shamsi, despite giving up his national contract, was available for the T20s against India, but Walter wanted to see Nqaba Peter have another run against quality opposition.

Anrich Nortjé falls in the same category, because with Gerald Coetzee and Marco Jansen back from their strength and conditioning programmes, the series was the ideal time to get them up to speed with international cricket. 

The inclusion of Mihlali Mpongwana and Andile Simelane is also in line with the policy to accelerate the development of young players who have done well domestically. Dewald Brevis doesn’t get a chance for this series however. “From a T20 perspective, in fairness, there are guys who’ve been given opportunities who have performed better than he has. We know what he is capable of and we have a lot of good youngsters who are capable of really good stuff in the short formats,” said Walter. 

And then there’s Quinton de Kock, which given all the moves Walter has to make, is one step he’s glad that he doesn’t have to navigate at the moment. “It’s hard to get through a presser without mentioning Quinny,” Walter laughed. 

“His status is as it has been. I leave the ball in his court. At this stage, I’ve allowed him to have his space, to not be involved in international cricket. If he does want to play for South Africa again and feels ready, then we will have a conversation. For now he is not part of our plans.”

It is still a strong side, with seven players who featured in the World Cup final earlier this year against India, including David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen and skipper Aiden Markram.  

Given every different step they have to take, Walter and Conrad deserve some credit for the moves they have made so far. 

Unlike the series against Afghanistan and Ireland in the UAE, the Proteas should be in better shape to face an Indian team that may be missing the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah, but is still a squad packed with explosive talent, who’ve all plied their trade in the intense IPL environment.