Conrad explains why Bavuma replaced Elgar as Test captain
JOHANNESBURG — Shukri Conrad, South Africa's new Test coach, has revealed that he took the call to replace Dean Elgar with Temba Bavuma as Test captain.
Conrad, who was appointed last month and will start in his new position from the two-Test series against West Indies at home, which starts on February 28, said he had chosen Bavuma because of the strength of their relationship and not because Elgar had underperformed in the role.
"This was my decision. I felt Temba and I were a good fit, and Dean's still going to play a huge part in our leadership group," Conrad said at a press interaction following the announcement of the squad to play West Indies. "Dean's done an exceptional job over the last couple of years, and in my conversation with him, that's something I made clear. This doesn't make Dean a poor captain and Temba a good captain. But I felt this was the right fit for me and for us going forward."
Though Conrad has never coached a domestic team that Bavuma was a part of, he was the Lions coach when Bavuma would have been at school in Johannesburg, and came across at the national academy. Conrad was also the interim white-ball coach when Bavuma led South Africa to a series win over England last month, and scored a century that led to him earning an SA20 deal.
"We've come a long way, Tem
Temba Bavuma
ba and I. He knows how I want to do things, and I've got a good understanding of how he wants to be involved and run things," Conrad said. "Our couple of days in Bloemfontein and Kimberley have gone a long way in consolidating the fact that Temba was going to be the captain. Hopefully his performances will keep shining. He's been a star performer for the Test side. I think captaincy sits well with him."
Elgar remained available for national selection and was going be reunited with former opening partner Aiden Markram, who Conrad confirmed would open the batting against West Indies after being dropped for the Australia series.
Markram, who has an average of 24.60 in his last 23 Tests, was preferred over Sarel Erwee, and Conrad indicated he would get a long run in the Test team.
"People are always going to be behind Aiden Markram or they are going to say he flatters to deceive. I'm in the former group. Aiden's going to open the batting," Conrad said. "He's a wonderful cricketer and a stroke-player. Aiden and I go back a long way, so I know his character. We've got to match characters to that to our selections and the type of cricket we want to play. I say emphatically that he will open the batting with Dean."