Centurion, Jan 2 (Reporter) South Africa’s Test coach Shukri Conrad has firmly defended his team’s qualification for the 2023-2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final, calling it a "monumental achievement" for both South African and global cricket. Conrad praised the resilience of his squad and rejected any criticism, emphasising that their path to the final was marked by significant victories over strong opponents like the West Indies, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. He further pointed out the competitive nature of the tournament, citing the West Indies’ win over Australia and New Zealand’s dominance over India as proof of the strength of the competition. Despite this, South Africa’s qualification has sparked controversy, with some questioning the strength of their opponents and the relatively low number of matches played. The team played only 12 matches, the fewest among WTC finalists, and avoided facing major teams such as Australia and England. Critics, including former England captain Michael Vaughan, argue that South Africa's progress lacked the rigour typically expected from a team in the final. South Africa’s journey has not been without challenges. The team started the year in a precarious position and faced key player injuries, including captain Temba Bavuma and bowlers Gerald Coetzee and Wiaan Mulder. Nonetheless, they secured vital victories, including a 1-0 win over the West Indies, a 2-0 sweep of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and currently lead 1-0 against Pakistan in their ongoing home series. Looking ahead, South Africa’s final WTC match against Pakistan in Cape Town on January 3 holds immense importance, as the team shifts its focus to the upcoming Champions Trophy and the WTC Final. Conrad exuded confidence in his team’s ability to continue performing at the highest level, highlighting the historical significance of their qualification. This achievement is being widely regarded as one of the greatest moments in South African cricket history...////...