Proteas coach Shukri Conrad says the T20I series in New Zealand has been “an invaluable exercise” despite both teams fielding weakened teams.
The five-match series followed the T20 World Cup, where the Proteas lost to the Black Caps by nine wickets in the semi-finals after an unbeaten run. Most frontline players from both sides were then rested.
“It was always a tough one coming after a World Cup,” Conrad said ahead of Wednesday’s series decider. “And it was never about the exit in the World Cup, but a lot of people would be questioning the value of the series, and why would you have it? We all did at some stage.
“But when you look at some of the younger guys that have become household names in SA20, as soon as you expose them to international cricket, there’s still a gap and there’s still a pressure and a scrutiny that they would never have experienced before.”
South Africa have handed T20I debuts to Connor Esterhuizen, Jordan Hermann, Dian Forrester, Nqobani Mokoena and Prenelan Subrayen during the series.
Esterhuizen has been the standout with the bat, scoring 125 runs in the first four matches, including 45* and 57*. Mokoena impressed on debut with figures of 3-26, while Subrayen marked his first T20I appearance with a tidy spell of 2-13 in three overs.
“On that front, it’s been an invaluable exercise to see guys like Esterhuizen and Mokoena step up, Subrayen on debut and deliver the goods,” Conrad said.
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Conrad acknowledged that the quality of cricket has not matched the intensity of the recent global showpiece.
“Whether it is fully fledged international cricket, the jury is out on that, and many people will have their opinions on it,” he said.
“But as soon as you pull on that Proteas jumper, and I’m sure the same for the Kiwis, you represent your country, and you have to try and make them proud.”
Photo: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images
