We have work to do before the 2026 T20 World Cup, says Conrad

Proteas coach Shukri Conrad believes they have ticked multiple boxes during the recently concluded T20I series in India as they will return to the same country for next year’s ICC Men’s T20I World Cup.

The Proteas lost the five-match series 1-3, with one match rained out without a ball bowled.

Despite the series loss, Conrad believes they have ticked multiple boxes as a team and admitted that they still have work to do before the World Cup.

The coach highlighted the return of Quinton de Kock, David Miller and Anrich Nortje as he aims to finalise the squad for the World Cup.

“I think we've ticked quite a few boxes in terms of probably our middle order and middle to lower order. In many respects, it's great to see Quinny return to the type of form that we know he's capable of,” Conrad said.

“David Miller hasn't played cricket in a very long time. Anrich Nortje hasn't played cricket in a very long time and we obviously know that playing international cricket at the intensity that it's meant to be played is really tough.

“So, I think we've ticked all of those boxes in terms of getting them through a series where it gives us a really good idea of who's coming to this World Cup in our squad. So, in many respects, we've ticked a lot of boxes. We've got some work to do still, there's no doubt.

“The tour has been very helpful, especially we've got a few games here in Ahmedabad. I think conditions will be obviously different.

“We certainly won't have as much fog around, I don't think, and I don't think the dew will play such a huge role.

“But it certainly does give us some really good insights into what we can expect, familiarise ourselves with the conditions. So, I think it's been really useful in terms of its prep for the World Cup, yes.”

Conrad told the media that the upcoming fourth season of the SA20 will help the players get game time and improve their skills, and that it will give him more time to observe the readiness of the players for next year’s showpiece event.

“The good thing is that the boys have got a month of SA20 coming up and I think that will also be really good prep in honing their skills to ensure that when the West Indies arrive on our shores, we're ready for that. Then obviously the World Cup, that's the big thing.

“So whilst we didn't get the results we wanted here in the series, I'd like to think this might be the World Cup finalist in the next World Cup as well. I certainly hope so.”