South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad heaped praise on debutants Nandre Burger and David Bedingham for their impressive show against India in the first Test in Centurion.
Burger ripped apart India’s batting line-up in the second innings and claimed four wickets as the visitors were bundled out for just 131. He also claimed three wickets in the first innings. Bedingham looked fluent during his half-century as South Africa registered a massive innings and 32 runs victory in the opening Test against India here on Thursday.
Conrad said that the Proteas are very humble and talk highly of players from other teams but it’s high time they should give credit to their own players.
“I think it was Harsha Bhogle who asked if South Africa is producing players at all. Now we have shown we do. This is not to undermine others but for far too long, as a group we are so humble to talk up other players that we don’t give credit to our own players,” Conrad said after the game.
“Nandre is massive and Bedingham too … it’s time we start drooling over our players.
“A bit like our debutants and bit like Dean, they have been phenomenal. Yes, we have to do some tinkering and put succession plans in place and when we had debuts to certain guys, we make sure all elements are in their favour.”
He was happy to show what quality South Africa is made of even though they played only three Tests in 2023.
“We know what quality side India is but we know what quality side we are. Real pity, we don’t play more tests,” the head coach said.
Meanwhile, it was veteran Dean Elgar who laid the foundation of South Africa’s massive triumph with his 185-run knock and was also named Player of the match.
Heaping praise on Elgar, Conrad termed him a “deserving” man of the match and said retirement must have spurred him on to play the way he did.
“Maybe retirement decision was everything about the way he played. Dean’s record, second to Graeme (Smith) among opening batters. Something we want to start highlighting. The team first is obvious.”
Comments
0 comment