Photo Credit: Cricket South Africa
Western Province Cricket Association Congratulates Shukri Conrad on his appointment as Proteas Head Coach for Red-Ball Cricket
The WPCA congratulates Western Province legend Shukri Conrad on his appointment today by Cricket South Africa as the red-ball coach for the Proteas Men’s team.
WPCA President Ashraf Burns, who knows Shukri, had this to say about his former team mate: “I was privileged to play with Shukri at United CC, where I experienced his amazing cricketing talent. He was an attacking batsman, which he will no doubt instil in our batters.
On behalf of everyone at WPCA we wish him a successful term as the red ball coach of the Proteas. Good luck Shuks and all the best! ”
Shukri played for Western Province during the final years before unification, and thereafter represented the Association at First-Class level. He has achieved significant success as a coach, both at International level and in the Western Province. He led the Cape Cobras to success in three competitions, in the 2006/7, 2008/9 and 2009/10 Seasons.
After a successful time in Uganda, he returned to become part of the national set-up in South Africa. He has been instrumental in the development of South Africa’s young talent since 2014, as head of CSA’s National Academy.
In 2020, Shukri took over the reins of the SA u19 team. He led them to a much-improved performance in the 2022 u19 Cricket World Cup, and to a domestic trophy, where his charges won the Second Division T20 tournament.
He is a true son of the Western Province, and the WPCA has no doubt that he will acquit himself well in his new role. CSA’s CEO Pholetsi Moseki indicated the key role that Conrad will play: “We will always emphasise the value of Test cricket,” he said. “We are adding a number of Test games over the next four years. We are serious about being a Test-playing nation and we take the format very seriously. We have not relegated it to the margins because of T20 and we still see ourselves as a very serious Test-playing nation. We want to invest to get our Test team back to the standards we expect of them.”
CSA’s Director of Cricket, Enoch Nkwe alluded to the fact that Conrad will be central to rebuilding Test fortunes, with the aim of competing for the WTC finals in 2025 and 2027. “We want to be in the top 3, but we are pushing for No. 1, even if it takes another three or four years to get there,” Nkwe said. “Over the next two years, we are solidifying our position and building a bigger player pool.”
A huge role for Shukri to play, in which WPCA is sure he will lead South Africa well.
