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Tristan Stubbs, the South African batter known for his consistency in white-ball cricket, has been slated by head coach Shukri Conrad to occupy the crucial No.3 position in the upcoming Test series against the West Indies. This series, scheduled to take place in Trinidad and Guyana from August 7 to 19, presents Stubbs with an opportunity to solidify his place in the Test team roster.

“Tristan will bat at No.3 for us…that’s how highly I rate him. Aiden (Markram) and Tony (de Zorzi) will open and Temba (Bavuma) and Bedders (David Bedingham) will be at four and five. Technically Tristan is one of the best around. He’s a helluva player, the type of player I want at the top of the order.”

“He’s the type of cricketer I want at the top of the order, he’s got all the makings of a top-class No.3 batter. I certainly wouldn’t be giving someone something to do that they aren’t capable of. I’m not hanging him out to dry. Technically he is one of the best around. It’s unfair that people see him as just a white-ball player.”

“I know it’s a different format, but if you look at the way he commanded his space during the World Cup, he has imprinted himself on games. We have eight Tests, he’ll get a really good run. I have to keep an eye on the future with this Test squad and he is definitely part of that future,” said Conrad to reporters.

Discussing the inclusion of batter Matthew Breetzke, who boasts a first-class average of 37 and recently excelled with an average of 46 in the domestic season, Conrad remarked, “Matt’s done really well domestically in the last couple of years. He can open the batting and play anywhere in the top order.”

“We have eight Tests to give ourselves the best chance at (qualifying for the final of the World Test Championships) and we probably need to win seven. But every Test series will be challenging. The West Indies are a different kettle of fish in their own country,” he concluded.