Zaahier Adams
The Proteas were expected to beat the West Indies in their recently-concluded Test series.
The rankings certainly pointed to it with the Proteas listed at No 4 and the Windies languishing in eighth place. And for the fact that they have now done it in 10 consecutive series ‒ the most by any major Test-playing nation.
But do not for one minute believe that the latest 1-0 series win, achieved late on day three in the second and final Test in Guyana, was as matter of fact in the way history will document it.
The Proteas’ first-choice Test unit had not been together as a group since Newlands’ New Year’s Test debacle against India, which was further compounded by the fact that the vast majority of the squad had not even played any form of first-class cricket since.
Contrast that to the Windies, who were fresh off a hard-fought series against England’s Bazballers and were playing in home conditions that are tailor-made for their attritional style of play.
“When you come to the West Indies, it’s a tough place to tour. Conditions were tough here. Extreme heat conditions,” Proteas Test coach Shukri Conrad said after the 40-run win.
“They are also a different team when they play at home. They were also coming off a tough series against England, so they were match-ready. So, from a result point of view, we are happy that we’ve won the series. That’s what we set out to do.”
Conrad is, though, not oblivious to the hard work that lies ahead for his team, especially after a batting collapse in the first innings in Guyana opened the door to the West Indies.
“Keshav Maharaj is an absolute workhorse, an absolute professional. And he just keeps going. I am thrilled that he now holds that record, it’s richly deserved.” – Shukri Conrad
“Obviously, there’s room for improvement. We did a lot of things really well, but we also did a lot of things not so well, especially in the batting department, which remains an Achilles heel for us,” he said.
“But with young and inexperienced Test batters, you almost factor that in, that you are going to have a few aberrations with the bat – like we had yesterday (Thursday) morning. The vital signs are there that we can go on to become a really good test side. I think the skill sets are there.”
The Proteas’ batting unit, particularly the top order, remains a work in progress.
Opener Tony de Zorzi has only played six Tests, but showed, particularly in the first Test in Trinidad and Tobago with scores of 78 and 45, that the dreadlocked left-hander could potentially be in for the long haul.
Equally, young Tristan Stubbs coming in in the all-important No 3 slot, managed a maiden Test half-century in Trinidad and Tobago to vindicate Conrad’s faith in him, but his routine manner of dismissal ‒ caught in the slips playing away from his body – will need to be addressed.
It is for this reason that Conrad is grateful for the vastly experienced members of his bowling unit such as fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who is now just a wicket away from the magical 300 mark, and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj.
Maharaj the record breaker! ✨🥳
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) August 18, 2024
Keshav is the new most successful South African spinner.
A record previously held by Hugh Tayfield is broken.💥#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt#SAvWI pic.twitter.com/bZvoyls18T
Maharaj was excellent across the two Tests, claiming 13 wickets, to win the Player-of-the-Series award.
“Our bowlers are always going to keep us in the contest because they are of that quality. And it’s just for our batters to gain the necessary experience, and with that there will be less soft dismissals and less falling over when bowlers bowl well,” Conrad said.
“It’s well-documented that we are a team in transition. And for you to transition successfully, you still need some experienced hands performing at the peak of their powers. And here I speak about people like Keshav and KG in the bowling department.
“Kesh is an absolute workhorse, an absolute professional. And he just keeps going. I am thrilled that he now holds that record (for the most wickets taken by a spinner in Tests for SA), it's richly deserved.
“He is great in the changeroom, he is a great sounding board for players and coaches. A really good team guy that you can easily dub ‘Mr Reliable’, and you need people like that when you are transitioning.”