Proteas playing for pride - Elgar
Updated | By CSA
Proteas opening batsman Dean Elgar believes the 'dead-rubber' fourth and final Test against England is all about reclaiming pride.
With this being the last Test match of the
summer, it presents the ideal platform for the players to regain some
confidence and to play the brand of cricket that has been associated with the Proteas
Test team for many years.
“The importance of the game is still up there,” Elgar said to the media at SuperSport Park on Wednesday.
“We have put in a lot of emphasis on ending the series well. Things haven’t
worked out the way that we wanted them to in the last three games but there is
still a lot to play for in this game. There is a lot of pride that has been
left out on the field and a lot of pride can be claimed back if we
compete well in this Test. The result will depend on the way we conduct
ourselves on the field, that is quite important for us. It’s definitely not a
dead-rubber in my eyes, I still want to go out and compete, try my best and
play as hard as I can for my country. There are a lot of other guys in our
squad that share the same feelings as me,” he added.
Elgar touched on the challenges of opening the batting in South Africa, and singled out mental strength as the key towards success. He seems set to partner with Stephen Cook at the top of the order, a familiar counterpart having opened together for South Africa ‘A’ a few years ago.
“Personally I think it’s the toughest part of this game,” he explained. “You have to be mentally in-tune, you don’t necessarily have an hour to relax after fielding, you have 10 minutes. Mentally you have to be comfortable with yourself and your role. It’s a position that you need to have for a long period of time to get accustomed to it.”
After a trying series against India where he averaged 19.57 (137 runs), Elgar has been the most consistent of the Proteas batsmen with an average of 65.75 (263 runs) and a century to his name this series.
“I’ve been reasonably happy with the way things have gone,” he said. “In the same breath I have been frustrated as well. I have three 40’s which, if people know me, really grinds me. I’m one of those players who would rather go out for a low score than go out at 40 or 50 when the hard work has been done and all you have to do is apply yourself a little bit more. After what happened in India I will take the form that I have had so far this series. There are still two more innings left in this series and I want to try and make them count personally.”
Squad movements and injury updates
Hardus Viljoen and Dane Vilas have been released for the next round of Sunfoil Series matches starting on January 21st. Although Stiaan van Zyl has also been released, the left-hander is unavailable for the Cape Cobras due to injury. Quinton de Kock has been passed fit following his knee injury and is available for selection for the match.
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