Will Dean Elgar be able to pull South Africa out of trouble in Tests?
The South African cricket team is enduring tough times where they have lost one series after the other. While being away or at home, the fortunes are just not turning right in their favour. In April 2021, they succumbed to a big defeat while matching shoulders with Pakistan in limited-overs series playing at their home. During the start of the year, the Proteas toured Pakistan for two-match Test series and got whitewashed exposing all their weaknesses.
It was only in March 2021 when Cricket South Africa changed their skippers for both formats. Temba Bevuma was handed over the responsibility of the limited-overs team while top-order batsman Dean Elgar was entrusted with the longest format of the game. As the new challenges are lined up one after the other, it remains to be seen how Elgar will pull out the team from the crunch situation.
South Africa have named Dean Elgar as their new Test captain while Temba Bavuma will lead the side in ODIs and T20Is ?? pic.twitter.com/GnwVJ3GQD5
— ICC (@ICC) March 4, 2021
Elgar’s rise to the top
Elgar marked his Test debut in the year 2012 and it turned out to be the worst possible start but his consistency over the years made him one of the vital aspects of the SA Test team. In 2013, he brought out his maiden century against New Zealand and since then, there has been no looking back. In the year 2015, he became the first opener from his nation to carry his bat as he played a classy knock of 118* against England.
The saga of masterclass continued and in 2017, he became the first Protea opener to face more than 200 balls in each innings of the Test match while playing against India. The best was yet to come as in the year 2018, he carried his bat twice within two months and became the first-ever batsman to do so twice in a calendar year.
His consistency, solid batting technique, and quick ability to adapt to alien conditions make him the correct candidate for leading South Africa in Tests. In 67 Test matches so far, he has smashed 4260 runs with 16 centuries. Also, he has been a great player of the new ball which often turns out to be a task for openers as wickets are not flat every time. Their next assignment would be against West Indies from June 10 which can be the best opportunity for the new skipper to show his grit and class.
Making a winning case against the West Indies, Elgar and his men would be able to embark on their new journey with confidence and determination. Replacing Faf du Plessis twice in 2017 and 2019 in Tests, he also has experience of leading his side and can surely be the supreme power South Africa needs right now.
