A narrative about a September piece in Esquire magazine is being told to Shukri Conrad on a hot November day in the nets at Kingsmead last year. “Can Sir Jim Ratcliffe Save Manchester United?” is the title of the article.
In February 2024, Ratcliffe became a minority shareholder in the club and took over its football operations, according to Stuart McGurk’s report. The main plot point of the narrative Shukri Conrad is being told is that Ratcliffe and a few of his closest friends, including David Brailsford, paid former manager Alex Ferguson a visit in an effort to understand the difficulties of reviving the once-dominant but now-faded club.
According to McGurk, “Discussing the art of having everyone committed to a common cause, Ferguson leant over to issue some sage advice: ‘Dave, it’s simple – just get rid of the c***s.'”
Shukri Conrad, who is seated in the dugout, leans sideways and laughs. He does so more at the use of a prohibited word than he does at the fact that all coaches, regardless of their notoriety or accomplishments, dare not allow themselves to be poisoned by criticism.
In Shukri Conrad dressing room, it’s hard to picture gloom lasting, much less taking hold. He is the quintessential optimist. Fairy tale stuff, not the clear-eyed kind. He exudes a brightness and lightness that resists hopelessness.
Given that South Africa defeated India by 30 runs in the first Test after defending 123, there was, to be sure, enough to be happy about at Eden Gardens on Sunday. Shukri Conrad strong support of the larger vision that underlies his team’s performance is nevertheless worth mentioning:
“We have worked hard to establish a setting in which… South Africa is a multicultural nation. This changing room has accepted it all. People have been free to be who they are.
Indeed, we follow a set of standards, ethics, and values that define what an elite side should do. On the other hand, they play together like a group of friends. They keep trying. They put a lot of practice into it. They throw a great party. More significantly, we have let a culture grow naturally instead of adhering to a set of principles about how we would like to conduct ourselves.
“We have excellent leaders. A silent leader, Temba [Bavuma] uses a bat to accomplish his goals. KG [Kagiso Rabada] is one of the serious statesmen we have. When it comes to that changing room, Aiden Markram excels. Kesh [Keshav Maharaj] and a few elderly people do as well.
“A recipe doesn’t exist. It’s about having faith in the players and letting things happen naturally. Listening to them when they say, “This is how we want to do things,” is crucial. Additionally, I will support you in going to play. Let’s find a solution. Never give up, please. A team can only be expected to stay in the fight and fight for every run. It is done by this side.
Add it to your resume. But, as with everything Shukri Conrad has done with the media, something is lacking. You would assume that he had nothing to do with his team’s victory after listening to him. If Shukri Conrad has an ego, it’s well concealed. Fortunately, he has been active in many aspects of the game in South Africa for a long time, so there are many people who are willing to encourage him.
For example, Stephen Cook met Shukri Conrad early in his senior career while he was the head coach of the Highveld Strikers, who later changed their name to the Lions and are now Gauteng, from 2002–2003 to 2004–2005.
Cook said to Cricbuzz, “He’s just transparent,” He means what he says, and he says what he means. That was energising and empowering for a young man who was figuring out on his own what this professional game was all about.
“You knew your position. You were aware of your obligations. It was something that coaches didn’t always provide me. Several gamers experience this: they are excluded from teams and are unsure of how to rejoin them.
“He was pretty explicit about that all the time. This is where you have failed. This is the way to re-enter if things improve. After you completed the necessary actions, he supported you and chose you.
Cook perceived in Conrad a hint of the brilliance of Rassie Erasmus, the unorthodox maverick who has led the Springboks to consecutive World Cup victories in rugby.
“You never really know what Shuks will do next because of his erratic personality. His time with the Proteas has been wonderful because of it. He and Rassie are comparable because he possesses that quality.
For opponents, that uncertainty is tremendously discouraging. Is [Wiaan] Mulder going to bat three? You never know. Is [Senuran] Muthusamy scheduled to perform?
Like the Boks, what may appear disorganised and carefree is anything but.
“As much as it might seem disjointed from the outside, it’s very measured and communicated well on the inside; that’s his superpower,” said Cook. “Technically speaking, he’s probably neither superior nor inferior to many other coaches. His strengths lie in his honesty and man-management.
Shukri Conrad was an all-around seam bowler who participated in 14 first-class games, the last of which took place in January 1995. He might have had a chance at an international career if his career had begun at that time, which was just over three years after South Africa had come out of isolation.
Cook, however, saw the bright side of that: “He’s just a regular guy.” Perhaps it’s because he didn’t participate in international cricket and doesn’t act pretentious. He can be himself. He doesn’t act as like he knows everything.
Cook respected Conrad’s decades of experience as a coach, saying, “He’s done it the hard way.” It has to be built up from the start. It was not an easy feat. He’s been in the ranks before. He’s been with many of his athletes for a long time.
“Yes, there are players who transition directly from coaching to playing and perform exceptionally well. However, I value a coach who works his way up, starting with 10-year-olds and working his way up to become the national coach. In essence, that is the path he has taken.
A home series between South Africa A and India A in August 2017 marked the conclusion of Cook’s 229-match first-class career, which included 11 Test matches, under Shukri Conrad.
“I got to see it from the other point of view compared to when I was starting out,” Cook explained. “He wasn’t going to try to influence you or make you reconsider. He was simply going to establish a very favourable atmosphere. You had it in your hands. It will be cool if you maintain your positive outlook. However, it’s also good that there is no place for you if you’re negative.
Cook’s career terminated over eight years ago as a result of Shukri Conrad bookending. However, everything Cook said about him still applies today. Integrity is evident in that kind of consistency.
Cook remarked, “He’s found a way that works.” “It’s more of a character issue than a cricket coach issue. Technical concerns are not often the main focus. Indeed, there are things that are important in that sense. He is aware of his shortcomings, though, and when necessary, he brings in the appropriate specialists and helpers. What a responsible coach.
“Coaches who don’t ask for outside assistance and believe they know everything worry me. I always say, “Okay.” Here, everything is in one basket; things could go terribly wrong. You never experience that with him.
Cook shared firsthand knowledge. Jimmy Cook, the former Test opener, is his father.
“My father was my go-to mentor and coach. Having my dad, who was also my external person, as the person I would turn to if things were falling apart, was extremely tough for several coaches during my career.
“Shukri Conrad was okay with that since he understood that’s how I worked. He was not in danger. “I’m not going to get in the way if he goes down to the indoor nets on a Thursday evening with his dad and a bowling machine,” he said. If it results in a better player, why would I? You could see that other coaches were furious.
Jimmy Cook did have a career abroad, unlike Shukri Conrad.
Though brief, his three Test matches and four ODIs would have been significantly greater if he had emerged after apartheid instead of in 1972–73.
Shukri Conrad may have been angry at Cook senior for that, for interfering with his players, and for the opportunity to play for Somerset for a long time. He did not. He discovered a method. Perhaps he is one of those few individuals who, in spite of what has happened and is happening, concentrates on what could yet happen to improve the world.
That requires courage beyond Shukri Conrad selflessness and joy. Particularly for the brown and black South Africans of his race.
Those of us who are not dark or black will find it difficult to comprehend that. But we can’t help but adore and respect it. Additionally, express gratitude for Shukri Conrad bravery.
India
