WaynesWorld

One of the most under-rated figures in cricket today has to be Shukri Conrad. Yes, I know that South Africa's players, cricket journalists, fans and others in that ecosystem understand his value. But, the wider world? When we think of the great coaches in the game do we take Shukri's name? By coach, I don't mean someone who organises net sessions and gives selectors inputs on which players to pick. By coach, I mean someone who makes the people in his orbit better. Would Temba Bavuma have fulfilled his destiny without Shukri in the change room? Does Simon Harmer bowl one of the most incisive spells of off spin without Shukri picking him when he does? Could Wiaan Mulder play the innings of his life when it matters the most? Does KG Rabada walk back into the eleven breathing fire? Could Marco Jansen believe he is the best cricketer in the world and play like that for one afternoon without Shukri? The list is obviously much longer. When you consider that Shukri does his work in South Africa, a tricky, messy place to bring people of different racial backgrounds together -- the system has failed and still fails people of all races in one way or another -- it adds a level of complexity most people could not even fathom. It is fitting, and just that South Africa have won as much as they have, the World Test Championship and all of that. We live in a world that ultimately judges success on some very narrow parameters. But, to my, the greatness of Shukri Conrad is that he makes the world a better place. For this, he has my eternal gratitude. (Photo courtesy @ProteasMenCSA)