South Africa national cricket team coach Shukri Conrad has revealed who will be the team’s No. 3 batsman for the upcoming Test series against the West Indies national cricket team. He said that he will give more time to youngster Tristan Stubbs as he is confident that the young batsman will perform well.
The South African national cricket team is all set to take on West Indies in the two-match Test series, which will begin on August 7. The two matches will be important for the team in the context of the World Test Championship and they will want to give their best.
With the series just around the corner, the South African National Cricket Team has made a big decision. Young batsman Tristan Stubbs will be the team’s new number 3 batsman. Head coach Shukri Conrad, who is the sole selector of both the team and the playing XI, has made the decision.
Tristan Stubbs has not played much Test cricket. The right-handed bowler has played just one match in the longest format of the game and hence it will be a big challenge for him. He will follow Aiden Markram and Tony de Zorzi, who will open the innings for his team.
Speaking about his decision to put Tristan Stubbs in the third position, Shukri Conrad said that the young batsman has the imposing character that is needed to take on the new ball. He said that the batsman’s psyche and technique are good and touted him as the future of South Africa. He explained:
“Technique is a big factor because you’re going to be facing a new ball most of the time. And he’s quite an imposing character, a big, strong, robust kid, and I quite like that. I like the fact that at the top of the order there are quite imposing kids;
“They are players with a pleasant aura and strong body language. Their psyche and technique speak of someone who will do his job well. We have a good player for the future of South African cricket.”
I’m gonna give him a good run – Shukri Conrad on Tristan Stubbs
Shukri Conrad further stated that he will give Tristan Stubbs more time and will back him for the next cycle. He also spoke about giving players freedom and added that the results will take care of themselves. He explained:
“I’m going to give it a fair shot. I’d be surprised if we didn’t back him for the rest of the cycle. I’m pretty sure Tristan’s going to do well. We are who we are. It’s become a cliché now to be the best version of yourself, but…”
“Whatever that identity is, you combine it with the conditions you’re facing and then you combine it with the skills the opponent brings, but ultimately you still perform with your own identity in mind. That’s the only message I’ve given to Tristan and the rest of the hitters.”
Tristan Stubbs has played 18 first-class matches during his career at an average of 50.20. His most notable innings in the long format was the 302* he scored against (now relegated) Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) Inland in Pietermaritzburg last February.
