Proteas captain Dean Elgar said he was looking forward to going home and enjoying a nice steak on the braai after his side went 2-0 down in the Test series against Australia, but at least there was some embarrassment and shame to deal with. to secure it on the final day of the third Test in Sydney on Friday.
South Africa came through the fire there, managed to stretch the first innings from 149/6 to 255, and then made 106/2 in the follow-on innings to deny Australia a sizzling heat a 3-0 sweep. It’s not a score that would normally make for a contented celebration, but this Proteas team needs a little win right now.
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“We had a conversation last night where we said we can either lie today and let Australia play us, make more embarrassing, or we can fight out for a full final day,” Elgar said.
“It was great to see how the team responded and there were a lot of lessons today. Being hurt and embarrassed is probably the only thing, but maybe now we feel less. We showed a lot of fight and there are positive signs.
Elgar must have felt like burnt flesh as he endured a poor series, scoring just 56 runs in six innings.
“I will not be able to enter this series and once, I can run. I can accept being caught down the leg-side twice, but three or four times highly irritates me. That is different. Generally there is a way you go out, and the bowler directs.
“Ten years into my Test career and now it’s a new one. I have to look at it. There was some talk between me and the batting coach about some extra work.
“But now I just want to get on the plane, go home, relax, braai, go to the bush and play golf. Taking as much time as I want is what I want,” said Elgar.
It’s a tough business
The 35-year-old said he still has big ambitions, however, around the whole business is difficult to fix the fortunes of Test South Africa.
“There’s a four-day game in February before the two Tests against the West Indies. I’m still hungry and driven, no doubt. And I really believe there’s room for CSA to entertain and motivate other players who play this format.
“There is room for discussion about compensation for the purest format, and we also have to play another game. At the moment the number of Tests is being stripped again and we are behind the pack, Elgar pointed out.
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