Shukri Conrad outlines Proteas' strategy for T20I series against Australia

The stability of the foundations that South Africa laid in Zimbabwe last month during the Tri-Nations series against the hosts and New Zealand will be tested in the upcoming three-match T20I series in Australia.

Youngsters Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, and Kwena Maphaka were given opportunities to develop their games against established internationals.

The upcoming series Down Under will be a step up in competition, and the youngsters will get a chance to test themselves against a strong Australian side. With senior players Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada back in the mix, having missed the Zimbabwe series, the youngsters will have leaders to seek guidance from as they acclimatize to international cricket.

Proteas coach Shukri Conrad told the media that they aim to use the Australia series to build on the good the team achieved in Zimbabwe.

"A valuable exercise Zimbabwe was, and then obviously to build on what were the good things in Zimbabwe. We talk in particular about the form of our two young batters, and someone like Kwena as well, to continually grow his stocks in T20 cricket," Conrad told the media on Friday.

"It's great having the experienced guys back, nice and refreshed as well. You can see these guys are raring to go. So really excited, great having the experience back.

"Obviously Aiden's leadership, and then obviously the leadership roles that someone like Kagiso plays. So really excited about the next couple of weeks. We know it's going to be a great challenge."

Conrad will lead the T20I side for the second time since taking over as the all-format coach.

Despite being new on the job, the 58-year-old says he is yet to experience any major difference between coaching in Tests or the shortest format of the game. If anything, Conrad highlighted that strategies are the major difference between the formats.

"I don't think the challenges are any different. I mean, the personnel are, by and large, the same, with a few fresh faces. But, obviously, it's just strategy that comes into play more than anything else," he said.

"With regards to the T20, you obviously look at how you're going to stack up your side based on what conditions are potentially going to throw up, and then how best you can cram everything into one.

"As it stands, the challenge is around the strategic side of things. The brand is pretty much simple. We all know how nice and aggressive we want to play, but not huge challenges, I must be brutally honest.

"So for me, it's really just obviously developing, winning, and then potentially getting to what our best squad is for the conditions in India. So I think these tours have great value for me as a new head coach, for the coaching staff, and then obviously for the players."

The first T20I match is set to get underway on tomorrow at 11:15am (SAST) at the Marara Oval in Darwin.