SHUKS DRAWS THE LINE

Conrad adds: “As it stands, we’re not budging on this. We want our players back on the 26th.”

Conrad expressed support for yster fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who will spearhead the bowling attack after serving a one-month ban for recreational drug use.

Conrad says: “I am thankful that the process that was followed was in line with world standards. I wasn't going to pre-empt anything and we allowed the process to run as it did.

“KG [Rabada] is a massive player for us. The big thing for us was to close ranks around him and ensure that he is in a good space.

“He’s served his sentence and all that I am interested in now is KG producing the sort of performances we know he is capable of.”

Proteas squad for WTC final: Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne

PROTEAS coach Shukri Conrad says his Proteas players must prioritise the World Test Championship final over the closing stages of the IPL.

Conrad said there was an agreement that South Africa’s players would return from India on 26 May – the day after the original date of the IPL final.

This would enable them to have time to prepare for the Test final against Australia at Lord’s from 11-15 June.

He said he did not expect that to change, despite the IPL being rescheduled to finish on 3 June after a postponement caused by recent hostilities between India and Pakistan.

Conrad says: “Our initial agreement with the IPL and the Indian board was that our players would return on the 26th.”

He cautioned that discussions between Cricket SA and the Indian board were still taking place.