Johannesburg, South Africa – South Africa's head coach, Shukri Conrad, has addressed the controversy sparked by his "grovel" remark made during the recent Test series against India, which the Proteas won convincingly. The comment, made after Day 4 of the second Test in Guwahati, drew immediate and widespread criticism due to its historical connotations within cricket and South Africa's own history of apartheid.
Conrad's initial statement came as he explained South Africa's strategy behind their second-innings declaration. He said, "We wanted India to spend as much time on their feet out in the field. We wanted them to really grovel, to steal a phrase, bat them completely out the game and then say to them well come and survive on the last day and an hour this evening". The use of the word "grovel," however, triggered a wave of negative reactions, with many pointing to its racially charged history in cricket.
The furor stems from a similar comment made by England captain Tony Greig, a white South African, in 1976 when he declared his intention to make the West Indies "grovel". Greig's remark was widely interpreted as racially insensitive, especially given the context of apartheid-era South Africa and the predominantly Black West Indies team.
Speaking for the first time since the controversy erupted, following South Africa's ODI series loss to India, Conrad acknowledged the sensitivity surrounding the word. While he maintained that his intention was purely related to cricketing strategy – to wear down the Indian team physically and mentally – he recognized the historical baggage associated with the term.
"I understand the context and the history," Conrad stated. "It was never my intention to cause offense, and I sincerely apologize if my words did so. My focus was solely on our team's game plan and the desire to put India under pressure."
Despite the apology, the remark continues to be a talking point in the cricketing world. Former Indian players like Anil Kumble and Parthiv Patel have openly criticized Conrad's choice of words. Patel said that Conrad even smirked while saying it and that it was disrespectful. Kumble said that such choice of words shouldn't be used especially in a press conference. Some analysts have noted that regardless of intent, the use of such language is best avoided, particularly by a South African coach.
In contrast, the Indian team appeared to downplay the controversy. India's batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, stated that the team was "least bothered" by Conrad's comments and remained focused on their performance. South Africa's captain, Temba Bavuma, also suggested that the comment did not distract the team.
The incident serves as a reminder of the complex racial history intertwined with cricket, particularly concerning South Africa. While Conrad's apology may help to diffuse the immediate tension, the broader conversation about language and its impact continues within the sport. The South African team will look to move past the controversy as they prepare for future international competitions.
