“Thankful for the guys responding the way they did,” said Proteas captain, Dean Elgar, after South Africa sealed a historic series win against India, having lost the first of three Tests in the series.
After the first Test, Elgar said, “We needed the guys to make a conscious effort.” The intention was “purely to bring out the best of the player.” Elgar was proud of the way South Africa responded after losing comprehensively to India at SuperSport Park in Centurion. “It’s a South African trait that we always start slow. We need to be 1-0 down to wake up. The guys responded beautifully.”
Reflecting on the highs of the series, Elgar was impressed with the performances of Keegan Petersen, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Temba Bavuma. In particular, the composure displayed by Bavuma was remarkable. “It gives me peace of mind that things are under control,” Bavuma said.
One of the messages that Elgar conveyed to the team was that the batters needed to take more responsibility. “Value their wicket a lot more. I’m very happy that the guys responded well. The characters in the team don’t play with ego. Being able to speak to them openly and knowing that it’s going to be a constructive chat. It’s about them respecting their batting position.”
For the players to respond to Elgar’s messages, he insisted it was important for them to have “mutual respect within the squad. That’s a two-way street. That enables you to have these conversations. The players need to take that on board. I’m not there to manipulate them.
“If you want to be the best, you need to operate at a level that we have been over the last couple of weeks,” he continued.
“I’ve got a pretty good relationship with all the players. We’re playing to win. The team’s way is the only way going forward. It’s a skill that a lot of people have started developing. I would like to think I’m not offending anyone with my language or words.”
Elgar heaped praise on Keegan Petersen and Marco Jansen for their contributions to South Africa’s victory. Petersen, Elgar said, “Dominated domestic cricket, awesome to see him have a great series. Long may he grow, there’s a lot of improvement from his point of view. The world is his oyster.”
With respect to Marco Jansen, Elgar revealed, “He was always a doubtful selection. With his attributes, being tall and bowl 135 is a huge strength,” he continued.
“He was brilliant for us. He operates in a mature manner. The way he conducts himself on the field is like he has played quite a few Tests and played a few years.”
If there was a regret for Elgar and South Africa, it was the absence of crowds for what has been a historic series win for the home team. “Crowds at the Newlands and Wanderers would have been electric. That was a bit of a letdown. You can draw so much from the energy of the crowd. It would have been great to have crowds supporting us.”
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
