Proteas consider changes for second Test match

While understanding the context surrounding his team’s heavy defeat in the first Test against New Zealand, Shukri Conrad did not mask his bitter disappointment at the outcome.

“I told the players, it ’ s the Proteas that lost and it’s not OK. It’s tough for everyone here,” the Test team’s head coach said.

Conrad said the record 281run defeat in four days provided a grim illustration of the “massive divide” that existed between first-class cricket — in which the majority of the players had plenty of experience — and the Test format.

Though for the most part the players were fine, the brutal nature of Test cricket hit them hard.

“They are in decent spirits. “Obviously, a few of them took a bit of a knock in terms of the harsh realities that Test cricket brings and possibly how far away they still are.

“Many felt they were closer to the Test side and then you go through a few days like they have been and that provides a jolt,” Conrad said.

“If it was a T20 game, you know one performance can win a game for you.

“[But] it’s five days of cricket where the pressure is relentless and you’ve got to be on top of your game all the time against a quality side.

“It’s easy to say ‘go out and back yourself’, but when your every move is being magnified and your technique is being cut to shreds on TV ... those are the harsh realities of Test cricket.

“But the players will be better for the experience and I’m sure we’ll see an improved performance in [the second Test in] Hamilton.”

While it would have been easy for New Zealand to take their foot off the pedal, Conrad was grateful the hosts did not relent in terms of execution and focus.

“New Zealand showed us the greatest respect by going in to bat a second time, because that’s what they would have done if they were playing Australia, England or a fullstrength South African side.”

Nevertheless, Conrad felt SA could have given more.

“I did expect a bolder showing, especially on the batting side. I felt we let ourselves down quite a bit,” he said.

Despite selecting seven batsmen, along with wicketkeeper Clyde Fortuin, they only managed totals of 162 and 247, with David Bedingham’s second innings 87, the only halfcentury made by the tourists.

The bowling, too, lacked pace and penetration, which Conrad said would come under the most scrutiny before the second Test on Tuesday.

“I think we did nicely on the bowling front given the stocks we have got.

“But we have to look at how else to challenge them. Yes, we must do so with the new ball, but perhaps we can do more with spin as well.”

With Conrad stating there will be changes for the second Test, either Dane Piedt or legspinner Shaun von Berg will be selected. —