It is important that the values of Test-match cricket are cherished, so that the game can be preserved.
At its simplest, that means highly-skilled bowlers and batters constantly testing each other.
And they can only do that on a consistent basis if the pitches they are playing on are of a certain quality.
That’s according to Proteas coach Shukri Conrad, who has once again stressed the importance of playing on good surfaces ahead of the all-important two-match series against Pakistan.
The Proteas require a single victory at either Centurion or Newlands over the festive season to ensure qualification for the World Test Championship final at Lord’s next year.
Conrad will be hoping his team can get the job done in the highveld series opener, especially as the New Year Test at Newlands at the beginning of 2024 against India was a catastrophe that lasted just one-and-a-half days.
Having coached at Newlands for many a year during his tenure with the Cape Cobras, Conrad was certainly surprised with how the Cape Town surface behaved, but has stressed that he will not interfere with head curator Braam Mong’s preparations.
“We’re really looking forward to playing at Centurion. It’s a ground that we play particularly well at, and the guys know the conditions rather well,” Conrad said this week.
“But yeah, a couple of weeks ago, maybe a month ago, I popped down there (to Newlands) and had a nice conversation with Braam.
“I think he’s obviously learned some lessons, and he’s assured me that it will be a lot better (compared to the India Test).
“But again, I don’t get involved in those sorts of things. I leave it to the experts, and whatever it throws up, it throws up.
“I think earlier this year was just an aberration. I think the New Year’s Test match should be a lot better this season, better wicket.
“And hopefully we can turn in a performance that will make all of Cape Town and South Africa really proud.”
Conrad’s only festive-season wish is that the curators continue to prepare “good cricket wickets”, as his batting unit have been in good form of late, having scored eight centuries in the last four Test matches.
That list includes captain Temba Bavuma, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder.
“The guys have shown again that when we play on good wickets – and I’ve said this forever and a day – when we play on good wickets, the ability sits within this group to turn out performances the way the batters have.
“So, yeah, we didn’t get any centuries in the West Indies. But again, Bangladesh, the batting conditions, especially on the seam-bowling front, were pretty good.
“And obviously, we prepared really well against the spin threat.
“Again, the wickets were good for batting, and the guys showed their class. And I think what has also happened is that there’s been a nice knock-on effect.
“Guys have seen how their peers go about their business. And they gain confidence when someone in the group gets 100 and then someone else gets 100.
“And it’s almost a competitive little spirit that flows through them... who want to be the next one to get the 100. I think it’s been a long time coming.”