Conrad's bold decisions as Test coach reshape SA cricket

WHEN Shukri Conrad took over as Test coach a little over two years ago, he made some big calls in his first squad selection, leaving out players that many would not have considered droppable.

- ONGAMA GCWABE

Conrad left out former Test batter Rassie van der Dussen and Proteas fast bowler Lungi Ngidi from his first Test squad selection as he believed the two were behind the pecking order.

In Ngidi’s case, Conrad believed that Proteas fast bowler Gerald Coetzee was ahead of him, disregarding the advantage of experience that Ngidi had over Coetzee at the time.

At the time, Ngidi’s fitness was an issue and so was his form as he toured England and Australia for Test series and was largely ineffective on those tours.

However, a little over two years later, Ngidi has become a match winner for Conrad as the 29-year-old has played a vital hand in winning the World Test Championship final at Lord’s for South Africa by taking the wicket Steve Smith in the second innings in what was a magical spell.