Proteas coach Shukri Conrad has admitted he could have been “smarter” after speaking out for the first time since using the term “grovel” during the second Test against India last month.
Conrad has been public enemy No 1 in India, after referencing a term former England captain Tony Greig infamously used ahead of a Test series against the West Indies 50 years ago.
Back in 1976, which was in the midst of Apartheid, it was interpreted as racist due to Greig’s South African heritage and being directed to all-black West Indian team.
The Proteas coach has since been publicly criticised by Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar and former Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn, who is on commentary in India.
Conrad did not apologise for his comment, but stressed that he “intended no malice” and upon “self-reflection” could have had a different choice of words.
“Just on reflection, could have been smarter. And I need to reiterate again, there was definitely no malice intended. And it’s unfortunate that it spiralled the way it did,” he said after his team’s 2-1 ODI series defeat in Vizag.
Eleven days had passed since Conrad’s “grovel” comment without any official word from anyone within the Proteas camp or Cricket SA official related to the matter.
Only captain Temba Bavuma stated that “it’s not for me to clarify” when pushed on the matter at a pre-match media engagement.
During the intervening period Conrad revealed that he spent time on “self-reflection” and consulting his circle of trust before addressing the issue in the media.
“I think on reflection, it was never my intention to cause any malice or not be humble about anything.
“I could have chosen a better word on reflection because it left it open to people putting their own context to it, where the only context I ever intended it to be was for India to spend a lot of time and make it really tough for them.
“I’ve obviously got a network of people that I trust, and family back home, and people on our staff.
“And I need to reiterate again, there was definitely no malice intended. And it’s unfortunate that it spiralled the way it did. And again, like I said, that it took the gloss off what was a very, very special Test Series win for us.”
