Dharamsala, Dec 13 (NationPress) The head coach of South Africa, Shukri Conrad, stated that any modifications in the Proteas' preparation for the Men’s T20 World Cup will focus on managing player workload rather than uncertainties about their roles. He emphasized that the coaching staff is ‘pretty clear’ regarding their roster for the prestigious tournament.

During their 51-run victory against India in New Chandigarh, South Africa opted to rest players Tristan Stubbs, Keshav Maharaj, and Anrich Nortje as part of a strategic rotation policy. In the series-equalizing win that leveled the score at 1-1, the Proteas made key changes by including Reeza Hendricks, Ottniel Baartman, and George Linde in their squad.

“It might appear that we're a bit uncertain due to the number of changes we make in every match. However, these alterations are not made without reason. We have a solid understanding of what our World Cup team will look like,” Conrad commented.

“Ultimately, it's about managing our players. Some have been involved since the Test Series. After this, we have the SA20 tournament. Therefore, it's crucial to manage players while also giving everyone a chance to play. We want to assess what works and what doesn't. We're quite clear about our goals,” Conrad informed reporters before the third T20I scheduled for Sunday.

Following the T20I series, South African players will participate in SA20, commencing on Boxing Day and concluding on January 25. After this event, their focus will shift to the Men’s T20 World Cup, which will take place from February 7 to March 8.

Conrad expressed that there is a strong sense of confidence within the team after the second T20I victory. He also noted that they are prepared to tackle the challenging dewy conditions. “Winning is always uplifting, especially following the first match's outcome,” he remarked.

“However, when you arrive at a venue known for high scores, there can be pressure to meet certain benchmarks, which can lead to complications.”

“We don’t have a specific target as a batting unit, but we are confident in our overall capabilities. Prior to the series, we practiced bowling with a slightly wet ball during the ODIs. Our efforts have been substantial,” he explained.

Conrad concluded by clarifying where T20I captain Aiden Markram would fit into the batting order moving forward. “Aiden is quite adaptable. We have a clear idea of who will open, specifically Quinton de Kock, a left-hander.”

“We’ll adjust the batting lineup accordingly. Aiden has performed excellently. He had a fantastic IPL last year while opening, and has previously batted at No. 3 and 4 in World Cups. I can say he won’t bat lower than No. 3,” he added.