Lord's will be humming when the WTC final gets underway, says Proteas coach Shukri Conrad

LONDON: Embrace the grandeur of the occasion. 

That’s Shukri Conrad’s message to his young Proteas team as they prepare to face Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s.

An “ordinary” Test at Lord’s – if such a thing exists – is customarily associated by pomp or splendour. 

The Members Pavillion is adorned with males in navy blue blazers with gold buttons with their necks held up by red and yellow ties – affectionately known as egg and bacon in these parts – that smells of opulence and inheritance. And the rest of the stands from the Mount to the Tavern are filled with London’s most swanky sipping French champagne in crystal glasses. 

It’s a far cry from wearing shorts and plakkies whilst finishing off a boerie and beer on the Centurion grass banks.

“It is a huge occasion. We can't wish it away,” Conrad told the media, at the Thomas Lord Suite on Tuesday. 

“It's difficult not to get the place out of your system. We've almost taken the, 'let's embrace it, whatever comes with it' approach. It's going to be humming, well, two days' time.

“We'll probably be enjoying the majority of the support. I think all the English will be supporting us as well. And just to really embrace the occasion.

“There are going to be nerves. The excitement levels are starting to ramp up, as you well aware. So, yeah, it's a great occasion, and I'd rather be part of it than not.”

There are few individuals that have experienced the Lord’s spectacle more than former England fast bowler Stuart Broad. 

Furthermore, Broad was a prime antagonist of the Aussies in hey day too, and it may just have been another Conrad masterstroke to rope in “Broady” – even if it was just to get under the skin of Pat Cummins’ men.

“It was enlightening (the dinner with Broad),” Conrad said. “We met last night, the coaching group with Broadie.

“It was just a casual chat. And if I didn't call time at 10.30, I think he'd probably still be sitting there chatting to us. 

“Some of the conversations that we had last night, you know, (was about) taking it in, just making sure you settle yourself down. And, yeah, rather than wish it away, we talked through these things.

“So, really enlightening, really casual. And everybody walked away there like, yeah, that was great, Broadie included.” 

Conrad steered away from his customary penchant of naming the team his team in the media prior to the start of the Test, indicating that there is still plenty of thought going into getting the starting XI just right for the conditions. 

The clouds have hovered over the famous old ground all week, whilst the Father Time weathervane overlooking the ground has been swivelling due to a blustery wind. 

However, the forecast does predict temperatures touching the 30-degree mark for the majority of the Test which may bring the spinners more into the equation as the Test draws on.

“Obviously the new ball is critical. But then also, there's been a lot of talk about when the lacquer comes off the ball. Talking around over 10 maybe,” Conrad explained.

“And you obviously still need guys that are as effective with that ball when the lacquer comes off and it tends to swing a little bit more. So that will be a consideration. The bounce here with the older ball can be a little bit inconsistent, can be a bit slower.

“Than what we're normally accustomed to. So those would be the considerations. Obviously not a venue where spin is a massive factor in terms of wickets taken.

“But it's shown that spinners can play a role here. Both as wicket-takers and doing an important holding role as well for your seamers to be effective. 

“So I think those are pretty much the conversations that have happened. And based on all of that, we'll structure our bowling attack accordingly.”