Latest news with #ShukriConrad
News24
5 days ago
- Sport
- News24
First Test, day one: Zimbabwe v Proteas
Welcome to News24's coverage of the first Test between the Proteas and Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The Proteas are in red-ball action for the first time since winning the World Test Championship at Lord's earlier this month as they resume Test ties with African neighbours Zimbabwe. Proteas coach Shukri Conrad has selected an exciting team with a decided feel of 'I want to see something' about it. Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis and Codi Yusuf make their Test debuts, with the heavier artillery in regular skipper Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen among those absent for this outing due to either injury (Bavuma has a hamstring injury) or rest and recuperation. Seamer Lungi Ngidi will be available for the second Test. Long-time servant of Proteas cricket, Keshav Maharaj, makes his Test captaincy debut.
Mint
5 days ago
- Sport
- Mint
'He is the main dog': SA coach Conrad backs teen star Kwena as frontline bowler during Zimbabwe series
Bulawayo [Zimbabwe], June 27 (ANI): South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad said that young left-arm seamer Kwena Maphaka will be the "main dog" in the bowling department for the national team in the upcoming Test series against Zimbabwe in the absence of experienced fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Marco Jansen. The playing eleven of the defending ICC World Test Championship (WTC) will feature three debutants, Dewald Brevis, Lhuan-dre Pretorius and pacer Codi Yusuf. The match is the first of the Proteas' WTC 2025-27 cycle and will start from Saturday onwards. The visitors have a a new-look bowling lineup featuring Corbin Bosch, Codi Yusuf and Kwena Maphaka, other thanleft-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj. Among the three pacers, Yusuf makes his Test debut, while Bosch and Maphaka have featured in a Test before. Speaking on Maphaka, Shukri Conrad said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo, "With Lungi not being here for the first Test, Kwena's going to lead the bowling attack. As a 19-year-old, when you get given that responsibility, it doesn't only speaks volumes for how highly you are rated, but also the calibre and the mentality that he possesses. He's a young buck that shows maturity way beyond his years." "We've obviously got to be very smart in identifying when we put him out in the shop window, and I think this would be a great time for him. In Zimbabwe, in Test cricket specifically, he is not the third quick behind KG and Marco necessarily but he is the main dog. That responsibility will grow massively," the coach added. Maphaka played his maiden game in the longest format of the game during the Test match against Pakistan earlier this year as fourth seamer along with Rabada, Jansen, and Wiaan Mulder. In that match, the 19-year-old bowled 21.2 overs across the two innings, finished with 3 for 90 Following an injury to full-time skipper Temba Bavuma, Maharaj was named as the skipper of the South Africa side for the tour. Bavuma had sustained a hamstring strain during the World Test Championship Final, but continued to bat bravely thereafter, guiding the Proteas to a historic title. Maharaj will lead a young XI into the first Test in Bulawayo, with Tony de Zorzi and Matthew Breetzke being named as the designated openers, as per the ICC. Mulder will have another go at number three, after having impressed in the second innings of the Ultimate Test, while David Bedingham finds himself promoted to number four. Debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who has just seven first-class games to his name, comes in at number five, whereas Dewald Brevis, who also makes his Test debut, sits at number six. Lhuan, who had a breakout SA20 for Paarl Royals this year with 397 runs in 12 matches with three fifties, has made 485 runs in seven first-class games at an average of 60.62, with three tons and a fifty. Brevis, who scored poorly in two T20Is he played for Proteas, has been in tremendous form across all formats for a long while and had a solid stint with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), scoring 225 runs in six matches at an average of 37.50, with two fifties, at a strike rate of 180.00. Kyle Verreynne will keep the wickets and bat at seven. In all, just four members of the side that featured in the World Test Championship Final against Australia at Lord's will feature in this Test for the Proteas. Maharaj is also on the verge of becoming the first-ever South African spinner to achieve the landmark of 200 Test wickets, being just one scalp away from the feat. SA's Playing XI: Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke, Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj (c), Codi Yusuf, Kwena Maphaka. (ANI)
Daily Maverick
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Emerging Proteas seek glory: Young talents aim to fill the void against Zimbabwe
A number of players will make their debut against Zimbabwe with a permanent spot in the playing XI the long-term goal. A few young, aspiring Proteas have a chance to stake their claim for a spot in the world champion Proteas playing XI. South Africa take on Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in a two-match Test series starting on Saturday, 28 June 2025. Several World Test Championship (WTC) final stars will miss the series against their geographical neighbours as coach Shukri Conrad — who currently serves as sole selector — has opted to rest them before a busy white-ball schedule. None of the star WTC trio of Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram or Kagiso Rabada was aboard the plane that jetted off on Tuesday from OR Tambo International airport to Bulawayo. Skipper Bavuma was initially announced in the squad, but a hamstring injury he sustained while batting in the second innings of the WTC final has ruled him out for the tour. Markram and Rabada, meanwhile, along with Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen, are being rested. They have all secured their spots in the first-choice Test playing XI after playing vital roles in South Africa's journey to the WTC final and helping to clinch the Test mace at Lord's. Their absence from the squad does open the door for a number of talented young players to grab their opportunity for regular higher honours. Among them are two of the most talked about young cricketers in the world: Lhuan-dré Pretorius and Dewald Brevis. Young prospects Pretorius, still only 19 years old, has had a domestic and franchise breakout season of note across the last summer, lighting the white-ball circuit up with his fearless attitude at the crease and powerful wrists at the point of contact with the ball. His talent has led to overseas opportunities, including being called up as a late injury replacement for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League — although he did not get a game — as well as running out for Hampshire in England in the Vitality T20 Blast. Despite the white-ball formats being where the talented southpaw has caught the most attention, his red-ball form for the Titans has been exemplary. Pretorius averaged 72.66 with the willow last season, which included three centuries and one half-century across only seven innings. In the long term he looks to be battling it out for the wicketkeeper-batter position with Kyle Verreynne — who is also on the tour of Zimbabwe — but could play solely as a batter on this tour to gain experience. The international retirement of Heinrich Klaasen has also opened up the door for the youngster in white-ball cricket for the national team, with no clear heir to the throne. Brevis, three years Pretorius' senior but still only 22 years old, has, for the first time in his career, moulded his supreme talent with consistency this past season. This has transpired across formats, but particularly in first-class cricket where he finished the last domestic season as the second-highest run scorer in the four-day competition. Brevis racked up 573 runs in 12 innings, with his strike rate of 88.69 standing out. He scored two centuries and two half-centuries to go with that. Both batters will be competing for a spot in South Africa's middle order. Spin option In the absence of Bavuma, the tour will be captained by South Africa's most successful red ball spinner in left-arm orthodox Keshav Maharaj. It's a big tour for Maharaj, who is approaching 200 Test wickets, and who will become the first South African spinner to that mark, needing just one more scalp to reach it. In a rare occurrence for the Proteas, he will probably be accompanied by a second spinner on tour in Dolphins teammate Prenelan Subrayen — who will make his debut for the country if selected. South Africa will tour India in a two-match Test series at the end of the year, where spin has traditionally played a massive role. This period in Zimbabwe will serve as a trial for Subrayen who has passed every other requirement so far, which includes a brilliant first-class record of 242 wickets in 77 first-class matches, as well as starting for SA 'A' recently with a five-wicket haul in his last bowling innings. The 31-year-old is the only other spinner, outside of Maharaj, in the squad, with spin bowling all-rounder Senuram Muthasamy, who has been part of South Africa's Test squads across the summer as well as the WTC final, not making the cut this time around. Bowling piece Two key omissions from the squad against Zimbabwe are regular opening bowlers Rabada and Jansen. Conrad has selected the pair in every opportunity he has had to do so, and justifiably so, given their superb records, but the third pace bowling option has rotated. Dane Paterson, Kwena Maphaka, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi have all competed for the role over the past 18 months. On this occasion, Ngidi, Maphaka and 27-year-old Lions pacer Codi Yusuf — the latter receiving his first sniff of international cricket — will audition for the position. Ngidi is the front runner for the role, having impressed in South Africa's second bowling innings against Australia in the WTC final, and will probably lead the attack in Zimbabwe while 19-year-old Maphaka will play only his second Test match in Bulawayo. Corbin Bosch and Wiaan Mulder are also in the side as seam bowling all-rounder options. Sealing a spot Recent domestic form has been thoroughly rewarded by Conrad as Lesego Senokwane and Zubayr Hamza have the chance to exhibit his first-class form on the international stage. Hamza, who led the run scoring charts for number three batters domestically last season has also been reintroduced to the national fold for the first time since South Africa sent a weakened side to New Zealand at the start of last year. Senokwane — who faced the new cherry for the now relegated Knights last season, but has since been picked up by the Titans — scored 559 runs in 10 innings at an average of 55.9 for the struggling outfit in red ball cricket. The 28-year-old will probably open the batting alongside Tony de Zorzi, who was part of the WTC squad but didn't play. De Zorzi was an integral part of the Test side until an injury ruled him out of playing against Pakistan at Newlands at the New Year's Test. Rickelton was promoted to open the batting in his place and scored a magnificent double-century. With that knock, Rickelton usurped De Zorzi in the national team pecking order. Conrad has identified Markram and Rickelton as his preferred opening pair, but a big showing from Senokwane, De Zorzi or any of the other initiated members of the squad could see them replicate Rickelton's accomplishment and force themselves into Conrad's long-term planning. DM
IOL News
24-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Yusuf prepares for 'most important game' of his career after maiden call-up to Proteas
Lions fast bowler Codi Yusuf has earned his maiden call-up to the Proteas Test squad after an impressive few months this year. Photo: BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix Now that the ICC World Test Championship celebrations are over, the Proteas Test team switch focus to this week's first of two Test matches against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The series falls outside the new World Test Championship cycle. However, it still carries significant weight as South Africa's fringe players will get a taste of Test cricket, further widening the talent pool for head coach Shukri Conrad to choose from for the 14 Tests that lie ahead in the new cycle. Five key Test players will be rested for the series, including Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton and Marco Jansen. In addition, captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury sustained during the WTC final at Lord's earlier this month. Proteas Men set sights on Zimbabwe Tour 🏏🇿🇦 Our Proteas Men are ready to extend their red-ball dominance as they head to Bulawayo for an exciting Test series against Zimbabwe 💪. Stay tuned for all updates, and don't miss a moment of the action! 🔥#WozaNawe — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 23, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ With most of the experienced heads sitting out the Zimbabwe tour, the likes of Codi Yusuf have earned their maiden Test call-ups, alongside Lesego Senokwane and Lhuan-dré Pretorius. Yusuf, who enjoyed an impressive domestic season for the Lions and a stint with Durham in the County Championship, is well aware of the magnitude of the opportunity. 'I would say this is probably the most important game in my career so far,' Yusuf told Independent Media. 'I haven't had a taste of international cricket yet, but it would be unbelievable to go and make a mark there and show people that I can perform at the highest level. "I personally believe in myself and feel like I can do that, and I know a lot of other people do as well. I know Shuks does as well, and that's why he would have chosen me to be part of his squad. 'I don't want to put too much pressure on the game and on the moment, but it would definitely be up there as probably the most important game in my career so far.' Yusuf has enjoyed a career-defining few months — going from being omitted from the South Africa 'A' squad for the Caribbean tour and instead named in the South Africa Emerging team for the Bangladesh tour, to playing county cricket in the UK, and now earning a spot in the Test squad. The 27-year-old was in the UK when he received a message from Proteas team manager Volvo Masubelele, followed by a phone call from Conrad himself to inform him of his maiden Test selection. Like any youngster receiving a long-awaited call-up, Yusuf shared the news with his family. 'It's very weird how things can change and how quickly things can happen,' said Yusuf. "I was supposed to be in that Emerging squad. I had applied for my visas, and just before everything got finalised, Durham came along for me to come play some county cricket. That on its own was a very proud moment for me, my family and also a very proud moment for my wife 'Shuks gave me a call after I had played about four County games and asked me how the UK was going? He asked if I was still there. I was like, 'yeah, it's good. I'm enjoying my time'. 'Actually, Volvo first sent me a message, and I was like, okay, maybe there's some sort of sniff coming my way. I think it was about two minutes later when Shuks gave me a call. 'Shuks told me that I'd been chosen to be part of the squad travelling to Zimbabwe. He just wished me congratulations and told me that I'm deserving of the opportunity and that he looks forward to having me involved in the squad. 'I was at my house when that happened, and as soon as I got off that call, I called my wife and we spoke about it — she was over the moon — and then shortly after that, I called my parents. "They were also over the moon. My family members were there as well, and there was just a lot of cheering and celebration on the phone. 'It's been a dream for me to play for my country, so when I got that call, I was like, oh wow, okay, this is really happening. I'm very excited to get into that environment and see what it's about, and experience what it's like playing at an international level,' he concluded. Proteas Test squad for Tour of Zimbabwe Keshav Maharaj (captain), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Kwena Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne, Codi Yusuf.
Hindustan Times
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
'They create their own realities. None are champions': SA coach attacks India, Australia, England; quashes 'Big 3' label
South Africa's emphatic World Test Championship victory at Lord's has done more than silence critics. As the Proteas returned home to a hero's welcome at OR Tambo International Airport, head coach Shukri Conrad delivered a strong response to the narrative that his team had taken an easier route to the final. Much of the pre-final chatter, particularly from sections of the Australian and UK media, questioned the Proteas' credentials. Critics pointed to South Africa's WTC fixtures, alleging they had not faced enough of the 'Big Three' – India, Australia, and England – to justify their place in the final. This, despite the Proteas having played India earlier in the WTC cycle. Conrad, however, wasn't interested in debating perceptions. 'They create their own realities, and unfortunately, none of them are (Test) champions,' he told 'We are the Test champions now, so I feel absolutely nothing about the top three. I don't believe that there is a top three.' South Africa had not only reached the final with a seven-match unbeaten streak but also outplayed Australia in the title clash to earn the mace. Despite the disparity in experience – Australia fielded stalwarts like Steve Smith and Nathan Lyon, both of whom have crossed the 100-Test mark – South Africa never considered themselves underdogs. The Proteas' squad, younger and far less experienced on paper, believed in their ability. 'We always felt that we belonged. We never even felt that we were underdogs in any of this. There's never a conversation that happened in any of our team talks,' said Conrad. 'Everybody dubbed Australia as the huge favourites, probably on the back of the experience more than anything else. 'I don't think we ever, ever felt that there is a big three. Only in their own minds is there a big three. We've never felt that there's a big three. We might not have played England or Australia in the build-up to the final, but we managed to play Australia in the final, and we wouldn't have wanted it any other way.'
