Proteas epic Eden Gardens victory up there with Lord's, says Conrad

WHILST comparisons with legendary Proteas teams of yesteryear may be inevitable, this current lot under Shukri Conrad and Temba Bavuma are writing their own manuscript.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS.

PROTEAS coach Shukri Conrad embraces captain Temba Bavuma after the 30-run victory over India at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

(AFP)

They are the current ICC World Test champions; have broken an 18-year record in Pakistan; and now they have done the same in India with a fairytale victory at Eden Gardens to end a 15-year barren run.

These are some stupendous feats. Not only in terms of the result, but also for the character they have shown to come back from almost hopeless positions — like on Sunday morning when, after starting the day with the slender lead of just 63, they battled their way to a target of 124 before bowling out India for just 93 to get across the line by 30 runs.

Not even Hans Christian Andersen could have scripted it better.

“I said it a few days ago, we won a World Test Championship final earlier in the year against Australia at Lord's but this was right up there for us,” Proteas coach Shukri Conrad said.