Elgar determined to deliver ‘better spectacle’ in Sydney

It has been a long time since Dean Elgar’s crest fell where it currently sits but the South African test captain was doing his best 24 hours before the third and final test against Australia to retrieve his pride and optimism, insisting that his team could still beat their hosts at the SCG in Sydney beginning on Wednesday.

As commendable as the Proteas’ bowling has been on tour so far, the top order batting has been woeful with just one half-century from the top five batters, Temba Bavuma scoring 65 in a hopeless cause in the second innings in Melbourne.

“Talk is cheap and we have to go out and perform, make amends for what has happened so far,” Elgar said on Tuesday. “Unfortunately, things haven’t gone for us on tour so far but we have a lot to play for, a lot of pride and a possible place in the final of the WTC.”

If South Africa do win the Sydney test and follow it up with two victories against the West Indies at home in March they could sneak into the final to be played at The Oval in London in June, but they will also need other results to work in their favour after losing to Australia by 6-wickets in Brisbane and an innings and 182 runs at the MCG.

Elgar again confirmed that he was not in favour of playing an extra, specialist batter despite the group’s struggles, mostly because of the extra pressure that would place on four specialist bowlers.

“I’m still in favour of a six-five split, but all options are still on the table. It would be a massive call, a big ask on four bowlers because they did some big numbers in the last test, a lot of overs. We could potentially play only three seamers, but it would be a big call.

“Basically the top five need to find a way to cope with the demands of test cricket. Whatever we do, hopefully, we can put on a better spectacle than we’ve managed so far,” Elgar said.

Theunis de Bruyn’s early departure from the tour on paternity leave has left the selectors with a straightforward choice between a recall for Rassie van der Dussen, who was dropped after the first test, and Heinrich Klaasen. Unless both play:

“It’s pretty clear cut. Rassie has had quite an extended run at test level so he brings experience. Heinrich is immensely talented and deserves a chance, and an extended run in the side.”

Elgar confirmed that offspinner Simon Harmer would also feature prominently in selection conversations at a venue which traditionally favours spin bowling but that he would only play as a second spinner behind Keshav Maharaj, if he plays.

“Kesh is still our No 1 spinner, and deserving of that position,” Elgar said despite the left-armer having figures of 43.5-3-152-0 in the first two tests. He only bowled two overs on the green pitch at the Gabba in Brisbane.

“Whether it seams, swings, spins or nips – whether it keeps low or there is a bit of extra bounce, we have to have the answers as a batting group. There’s no escape from that reality,” Elgar said. He may be crestfallen now, but an 81-test career has shown him how quickly things can change. (With some runs.)