Happy victory for Conrad and Bavuma

THE first Test of Shukri Conrad as coach and Temba Bavuma as captain ended with a happy victory, but it also reiterated the major problems that the Proteas still face.

It started off well for the duo with an Aiden Markram-inspired century that guided the national men’s senior team to 221/2 in their first innings. At this stage, the Proteas were in complete control of proceedings against the West Indies but then – as has become the norm with this SA Test side – disaster was not far behind.

A batting collapse followed, and the next eight wickets fell for a paltry 121 runs. Their second innings was no better, Player of the Match Markram once again the vanguard, scoring 47.

The rest of the scoreboard was a grim reminder of the fragility of the SA batting-order; and the difficult work ahead.

Scores of one, zero, zero, seven, five, four, six, 10, 20 and four followed, restricting the Proteas to 116. Bavuma, meanwhile, suffered the ignominy of a pair on his debut as Test skipper – a record that he will hope to rectify as soon as possible in the second Tests, starting later this week, before it becomes a negative talking point.

The bowlers were the true heroes of the victory with a disciplined approach that knocked the West Indies out for 212 and 159. It was an 87-run win, but on closer inspection, the Proteas should have dominated the match.

However, there were many positives – Kagiso Rabada roared to life in the second innings, finishing the match with figures of 8/94; while Anrich Nortje led the charge with a five-for in the first innings.

Meanwhile, the introduction of Gerald Coetzee to the Test arena, and the continued development of Marco Jansen should please all and sundry.

The batting’s mental fortitude, however, will remain a major concern for Conrad. During Mark Boucher’s tenure as coach previously, it continuously hampered the team’s ambitions, especially during an embarrassing Tour of Australia.

It will not merely be rectified by a change in the coaching structures, or the leadership of Bavuma. The co-opting of JP Duminy as batting coach, although an important development, will also not correct the problems overnight.

The bowling unit is in fine fettle but all efforts must now be concentrated on making the Proteas a runmachine again at Test level.