Tristan Stubbs is a batsman who will be 24 years old next week and would probably be offered an expansive opportunity to cement himself at the number three in South Africa’s Test batting order. This was confirmed by his coach Shukri Conrad on Tuesday ahead of the team’s first Test match against West Indies at Port of Spain.
Even though Stubbs is known for his dynamic and hard-hitting approach to batting in Twenty20 cricket, he will now have a considerable responsibility in the Test team.
His only Test appearance was against India on January where he made only four runs in two innings resulting in a seven-wicket defeat for South Africa.
For some time now, Proteas have been finding it hard to get a consistent reliable batsman who can occupy the No. 3 position. The management hopes that giving Stubbs a longer chance here may help deal with this problem and let him show he has got what it takes to succeed in test cricket.
“He’s going to get a good run there,” Conrad said.
“And I’m going to give him a good run. I would be stunned if we did not back him through the rest of the (test) cycle,” according to Reuters’ report during a virtual press conference by Conrad.
“I think he’s got a good one coming whether it be in the first test match or second, but for us as people they are really awesome additionters.”
Conrad cited Stubbs’ technique as being his main reason for appointing him as well as his imposing figure having some major influence.
“Because you’re going to be facing the new ball the bulk of time, I know Tristan ticks all those boxes. Also probably, he is quite an intimidating character; very big strong boy, strapping boy. That suits me fine. At the top of our order we’re going to have guys who are quite intimidating sort of lads who’ve got great body language.”
“But ultimately, the proof is going be in the tasting. But yeah, I’m going down this road, and I’m confident we begin to reap the rewards.”
In their last 3 match test series that they played in England last month Windies lost.
“They’ve got three tough test matches under the belt and they’ll come into this series at home taking a lot of confidence from several good performances,” Conrad said of the opposition.
