Conrad sees Stubbs as a key part of South Africa's future batting lineup

The No. 3 batting position has been problematic for South Africa since Hashim Amla's retirement in 2019. Several players have been tried, but none have cemented their place.

Players like Zubayr Hamza, Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, and others have been tested without consistent success. This includes temporary solutions like Keshav Maharaj as a night watchman.

With Dean Elgar's retirement, Tony de Zorzi moves up to open alongside Aiden Markram, leaving the No. 3 spot open for Tristan Stubbs.

Tristan Stubbs, known for his hard-hitting abilities in white-ball cricket, will be given an extended run at No. 3 in Test cricket. He made his red-ball debut recently and has shown promise with a triple-century in first-class cricket.

Conrad rates Stubbs highly for his technical skills, not just as a T20 player but as someone capable of succeeding in the longer format. Stubbs impressed during the T20 World Cup and has been promoted up the order in challenging conditions.

Conrad plans to persist with Stubbs beyond the West Indies series, aiming to give him ample opportunity across the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.

Conrad emphasises his belief in Stubbs' ability to handle the role, affirming that he wouldn't commit to this decision if he didn't think Stubbs was capable. He sees Stubbs as a key part of South Africa's future batting lineup.

Tristan Stubbs' elevation to the No. 3 position marks a strategic move by Shukri Conrad to address a longstanding issue in South Africa's Test team. Conrad's confidence in Stubbs' skills and potential highlights his intent to groom the young batsman for a crucial role in the team's middle order, aiming for stability and performance in upcoming Test matches.