‘Ticks all of those boxes, quite an imposing character’ – Shukri Conrad expects Tristan Stubbs to make significant impact in Tests

Shukri Conrad. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

Tristan Stubbs made his Test debut earlier in the year against India but failed to make a mark as he scored only four runs. Known for his ferocious batting in white-ball cricket, there were doubts if the flamboyant cricketer could make a mark in Test cricket but head coach Shukri Conrad is hopeful and expects him to come well in the upcoming two-match series against West Indies.

Conrad confirmed that Stubbs would bat at number three and the team management would give him a good run to prove his value. He stated that the youngster ticks all the boxes and has an imposing character, which is needed to excel in the longest format of the game. Conrad also mentioned that the 23-year-old isn’t shy to face the new ball and has strong body language, which will help him in the format.

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Notably, Stubbs has played 18 first-class games, scoring 1205 runs at an average of 50.20. Keeping that in mind, Conrad expressed his confidence in Stubbs and expects him to come good as he has good technique and psyche.

“Tristan’s going to be given a good run in that position. I think his psyche and technique speaks to someone who will do that job really well. And I’m going to give him a good run. I’d be surprised if we didn’t back him throughout the rest of the cycle,” he told a virtual press conference.

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“I’m very confident that he’s going to come good, whether it’s in the first test match, or the second, but I think we’ve got a good one for the future in the South African set up. Because you’re going to be facing the new ball the bulk of the time, I know Tristan ticks all of those boxes. He’s also quite an imposing character, a big strong boy, strapping boy. And I quite like that. I like the fact that at the top of the order, we will impose guys who have got a good aura about them with strong body language,” Conrad added.

South Africa’s series against West Indies will begin on August 7 as both teams would be gunning to pick up a win given their poor stand in the World Test Championship ranking. The hosts are at the bottom of the table while South Africa are seventh at the moment.