Dean Elgar has proven that he possesses the quality to be given an opportunity for a Proteas T20 Squad “tryout” against England in preparation for the T20 World Cup, writes Khalid Mohidin. 
There has been unfair judgment passed Elgar’s way, with many TV critics and key-board warriors labeling the the 32-year-old as a red-ball specialists. But that’s all they are – trolls, who have judged the batsman purely on his approach in Test cricket, who have not seen the batsman play enough limited-overs matches to make a warranted analysis of his ability in the shorter formats.

Elgar is known to be the guy who is not one for exuberant shots – in fact he has humbly alluded to himself as not being as talented as the likes of AB de Villiers or Quinton de Kock, who are known for their attacking brand of cricket they play. Elgar is one that tends to bide his time at the crease and is often the man that battles for long hours, supporting the aggressors on the other end. 

Those who haven’t seen Elgar in action in white-ball cricket live, will only have that evidence to judge him on, but a quick glance at his List A (42.11) and T20 (37.41) average will tell a different tale. 

But ignore stats, just have a look at the manner in which he performed in the Mzansi Super League whilst opening the batting for the Tshwane Spartans. If you came to the game in Paarl between the Spartans and Paarl Rocks, you would have seen Elgar play a classy career-best 88 off 60 balls to lead his side to victory after successfully chasing a target of 186 on a slow Boland Park pitch.

I know that some may misread this title and intro. But my opinion is that he deserves a “tryout”, one game or two international games where he can showcase his worth. This doesn’t mean that he must get an automatic spot in the squad, but at least he deserves an opportunity, based on his recent MSL form.

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The one thing he has proven in this tournament is that there is room for simple cricketing shots in T20 cricket, and that a calm head prevails in a format full of fast, thrilling, non-stop action, especially when a team loses quick wickets and panic mode is switched on.

Elgar would be the perfect guy in the situation of a collapse in the top order, or even the perfect guy to support an onslaught on the other end. 

Either way based on his performances so far in the Mzansi Super League, it wouldn’t do much harm to give him a “tryout” against England in one of the T20s, in that newly desired anchor role.

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