Shukri Conrad Confident in Tristan Stubbs’ Potential: “Ticks All the Boxes” for Test Cricket
Tristan Stubbs made his Test debut earlier this year against India but struggled with just four runs. Despite being known for his aggressive batting in white-ball formats, questions arose about his suitability for Test cricket. However, South African head coach Shukri Conrad remains optimistic about Stubbs’ prospects in the upcoming two-match series against the West Indies.
Conrad confirmed that Stubbs will be positioned at number three in the batting lineup and will be given a fair opportunity to establish his value. “Tristan ticks all the boxes and has an imposing character, which is crucial for success in Test cricket,” Conrad said. He also emphasized that Stubbs is not intimidated by facing the new ball and possesses strong body language, qualities essential for the longer format.
Stubbs has accumulated 1,205 runs at an average of 50.20 in 18 first-class games, a statistic that bolsters Conrad’s confidence in his abilities. “Tristan’s psyche and technique suggest he’s well-suited for the role. I’m confident he will perform well, whether it’s in the first or second Test. I believe we have a promising talent for the future,” Conrad added during a virtual press conference.
The series between South Africa and the West Indies starts on August 7, with both teams eager to improve their positions in the World Test Championship standings. South Africa currently sits in seventh place, while the West Indies are at the bottom of the table.
