Cricket

Elgar proud of Proteas’ final day response: ‘We could lie down or fight’



Proteas captain Dean Elgar says he’s wanting ahead to getting residence and having fun with a juicy steak on the braai following his staff’s 2-0 hiding within the Test sequence in opposition to Australia, however at the least some of the damage and embarrassment was eased by the draw they managed to safe on the final day of the third Test in Sydney on Sunday.

South Africa got here by means of the flames on Sunday, managing to stretch their first innings from 149/6 to 255, after which making 106/2 of their follow-on innings to disclaim the scorching sizzling Australians a 3-0 sweep. They are usually not scores that might normally immediate glad celebrations, however this Proteas staff wants small victories in the intervening time.

Read extra: Proteas safe the draw, avoiding one other spherical of smarmy remarks

“We had a conversation last night where we said we could either lie down today and let Australia roll us, creating more embarrassment, or we could fight it out for the full final day,” Elgar stated.

“It was really great to see how the team responded and there were a lot of learnings today. Being hurt and embarrassed probably go hand-in-hand, but maybe we feel that a bit less now. We showed a lot of fight and there were positive signs.”

Elgar should have felt like he was a bit of meat being braaied within the flames as he endured a depressing sequence, scoring simply 56 runs in six innings.

“I could by no means get going on this sequence and the one time I did, I managed to run myself out. I can settle for being caught down the leg-side twice, however three or 4 instances extremely irritates me. That’s one thing completely different. Generally there’s a approach you get out, and bowlers goal that.

“Ten years into my Test profession and now there’s one thing new. I’ll have to take a look at it. There have been a couple of conversations between me and the batting coach about some additional work.

“But for now I just want to get on a plane, go home, chill out, braai, go to the bush and play some golf. Taking as much time off as I want is what I need,” Elgar stated.

Tricky enterprise

The 35-year-old stated he nonetheless has massive ambitions, nevertheless, round the entire tough enterprise of fixing South Africa’s Test fortunes.

“There are four-day games in February earlier than the 2 Tests in opposition to the West Indies. I nonetheless have the starvation and drive, little doubt. And I actually imagine there’s area for CSA to entertain motivating the gamers extra who play this format.

“There’s room for discussion around compensation for the purest format, and we also need to play more games. At the moment the number of Tests is being stripped back and we are behind the pack,” Elgar identified.

Read extra: Inexperience in red-ball cricket a big half of Proteas’ batting woes — coach


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