Overview

• South Africa lost the Cairns decider by two wickets to Australia, handing the visitors a 2–1 T20I series victory.
• Conrad praised Dewald Brevis’s series-leading 180 runs, including a record 125 not out and a 204.54 strike rate, as proof of the fearless batting style he wants replicated.
• He singled out Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram as players with talent who have been too tentative and urged them to break free of self-imposed constraints.
• Conrad pointed to back-to-back last-over decider losses, including a recent defeat to New Zealand, as a sign of mental fragility that must be overcome.
• Acknowledging a ‘batter light’ squad, he reaffirmed a plan for six specialist batters and two allrounders as South Africa prepare for an ODI series starting August 19 and next year’s T20 World Cup.