• Conrad criticised for ‘make India grovel’ remark

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    Coach Shukri Conrad has come under fire for a comment he made while explaining South Africa’s tactics on day four of the second Test against India in Guwahati.

    Conrad told reporters that the Proteas delayed their declaration because conditions late in the day would favour their quicks, and because they wanted India to spend as much time as possible in the field before facing a massive target.

    “We looked at how best to use the new ball in the morning,” he said. “When the shadows come across the wicket in the evening, there’s something in it for the fast bowlers, so we didn’t want to declare too early. And obviously, we wanted the Indians to spend as much time on their feet as possible … we wanted them to really grovel, to steal a phrase.”

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    The use of the word immediately drew comparisons with one of cricket’s most infamous moments.

    Ahead of England’s 1976 Test series against the West Indies, South African-born England captain Tony Greig said his team intended to “make them grovel” – a remark widely interpreted as racially loaded given the apartheid context and Greig’s background.

    West Indies captain Clive Lloyd later said the word “grovel” was one guaranteed to inflame black players and supporters. Fired up by the comment, the West Indies fast bowlers delivered one of the most ferocious series performances in Test history as they swept England 3-0.

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    Conrad’s remark was made without racial intent, but many fans and commentators felt it was an unnecessary echo of a dark chapter in the sport.

    The Proteas coach has not yet responded publicly to the criticism.

    Photo: Albert Perez/Getty Images

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    Simon Borchardt