Ongama Gcwabe
FOR some, Dewald Brevis' maiden Test call-up for the upcoming tour to Bangladesh came as a surprise. But for those who have been closely following coach Shukri Conrad's bold selections since taking over, it was hardly a shock.
Most recently, Conrad has worked with Brevis in two South Africa 'A' Four-Day series, one away in Sri Lanka last year and another here at home in South Africa last month. In both series, the 21-year-old had decent returns, including a top score of 79. But most importantly, Conrad was impressed with the young batter's ability to play spin, particularly as Sri Lanka boasted some very effective spinners during both tours.
Conrad believes that Brevis' leg-breaks could also prove valuable in the subcontinent.
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The Proteas Men wrap up an intense training camp in Pretoria, locking in their focus for a heated two-part Test battle in Bangladesh!
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"A lot of people say, 'What's he done to deserve that?'" Conrad said yesterday, after the squad's final practice session at TUKS in Pretoria.
"I know what he's capable of. Whether he is a generational talent, some might say yes and others no. I think he's an exceptional talent.
"Dewald bowls some handy leg spins, he's one of the best players of spin around and has the power game to match as well. I'm not going to rule out that he's going to play, but he is going as cover."
As the first Test match in Dhaka looms on Monday, Conrad faces some tough decisions, particularly with captain Temba Bavuma sidelined at No 4 in the batting order due to injury.
Will he opt for Matthew Breetzke, the young batter he has recently named as next in line? Or does he give Ryan Rickelton another opportunity after recently playing him in the West Indies?
On the bowling front, Conrad has two out-and-out spinners in Keshav Maharaj and Dane Piedt, a seam bowling all-rounder in Wiaan Mulder, a spin bowling all-rounder in Senuran Muthusamy, and three quicks in Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Dane Paterson.
Conrad stressed that the type of bowling combination they choose will ultimately shape the playing XI. The 57-year-old emphasised that the decision will be made upon their arrival in Dhaka but revealed that Mulder is guaranteed a place in the line-up.
"We'll wait until we get there. I think it (the XI) gets affected by the balance of our attack, who goes (bats) where," he said.
"Bedders (David Bedingham) could easily move up to four; we will need another left-hander in the middle there. We'll play around with that and wait to see what the conditions are.
“All of those possibilities exist. Wiaan plays, whether it's in a three-man or a two-man seam attack, he plays."
The Test squad will depart for Bangladesh today for the two-match series and will face a team that has been very active, fresh off a historic series win in Pakistan and a two-Test series in India earlier this month.
With former Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo now at the helm of the Lions in Johannesburg and former Bangladesh batting coach Ashwell Prince part of Conrad's backroom staff, Conrad has accessed essential intel ahead of the tour.
The seasoned coach has pinpointed that Bangladesh tends to panic under prolonged pressure.
"I chatted to guys that are in the know like Russell Domingo and Ashwell Prince as well," said Conrad.
"They can get panicky and fall down. They are quite an emotional bunch.
“We've just got to stay in the challenge all the time, never take a step back, and know that once you get on top of them, they have the ability to fall down as well.
"There are certain guys in their side that, if you can knock them over early or nullify the threat, then that will go a long way in potentially getting the right result."