Coach Shukri Conrad has recently said that South Africa have the belief to reach the final of the World Test Championship 2023-25 at the Lord’s Cricket Ground. On Saturday, they won their Test series 1-0 against the West Indies after winning the second Test by 40 runs at the Providence Stadium in Guyana as well. Placed fifth in the table, South Africa still have a lot to work on if they want to challenge India and Australia in the top two. Conrad also said that they will be looking to ‘grow as a team’ as well.

“We’ve got a big couple of months ahead of us to grow as a Test team. At the end of that, if we do very well and we win enough games, we can end up in the World Test Championship final. But that’s not the only goal of the team. It’s also to grow as a team,” Conrad said after the match. “With young and inexperienced batters, you almost factor in that every now and again you’re going to have a few aberrations with the bat. But the vital signs are there that we can go and become a really good test unit,” he again said.

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However, apart from Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj, the other players do not have a lot of experience. Conrad also said that the South African batters will learn how to play in challenging conditions as they gain more experience. Notably, on Day 3 after setting the opposition a target of 263, South Africa bundled West Indies out for 222 in 66.2 overs. Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj claimed three wickets apiece.

“The skillsets are there. It’s really just experience we need. With experience, you’ll find fewer soft dismissals and less of the falling over when bowlers bowl well and we’ll be able to put up more of a fight with the bat,” Shukri Conrad concluded.