Proteas coach expecting 'tough ODI cricket' in historic series against Namibia

Namibia got the better of the more illustrious neighbours in the just-completed T20I tri-series opener, but the hosts did not kick on and they lost their remaining matches and failed to qualify for the final, which was contest by the South Africans and Zimbabwe.

While the Proteas have selected a largely second-string outfit currently touring Namibia, they are still expected to dominate the home side, who have not yet qualified for the 2027 World Cup which they will co-host with South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The Proteas players have plenty to for in the three games, not least putting themselves in the frame for future selection with a busy home summer of international cricket ahead.

Conrad said: "It's obviously a format that they (Namibia) still need to qualify for the World Cup and fingers crossed that they manage to do that because it would be wonderful to have all the host cities have their teams in the World Cup.

"I'm expecting them to come back hard. The fact that they didn't make the (T20I) tri-series final would obviously have hurt them. So I'm expecting them to come back strong and put their best foot forward and put up a bold showing.

"I don't know if there are any other cliches left, but expecting a really good week of tough ODI cricket."

A close to first-choice Proteas squad was announced on Monday for the three-match home ODI series against Australia later this month, and Conrad said he is looking forward to a busy summer on home soil.

The Proteas will also play three Test matches against the Aussies, which will then be followed by incoming tours of Bangladesh and England.

Conrad added: "I think it was great coming out here to Namibia just to get used to how things work again. We have been off for a few months and it takes a while to get used to how things work and just to get back into the swing of things.

"So I think from that front, on a personal level, Namibia has been great, and when we hit Australia then we obviously hit the ground running, so it's going to be an exciting few months."