How Conrad plans to handle the tangle of club and country

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How Conrad plans to handle the tangle of club and country

Shukri Conrad, the new coach of South Africa's men's national teams, faces a challenge in balancing the demands of club and country. With the appointment of a selection convenor, Conrad will have less authority over team selection than when he was the Test coach only.

Conrad emphasized the importance of having the best Proteas side every time they play, and has had conversations with players about their commitment to playing for South Africa. However, the availability of top players is a concern, as they are often committed to franchise leagues.

Conrad is determined to create a culture and environment that players want to be part of, and has a plan to ensure that players are available for international matches. He believes that careful planning and buy-in from everyone is key to making this work.

The Proteas will play 29 internationals across formats from June 11 to December 19, including a visit to Zimbabwe and a series in Australia and England. However, the MLC, the Hundred, and the CPL will also be played during this period, and it remains to be seen how Conrad will handle the tangle of club and country commitments.

Conrad's innovative and brave thinking as Test coach has revitalized the team, and he is well-positioned to win back some of the ground countries have lost to clubs.