Dean Elgar’s brilliant, unbeaten 140 gave South Africa the upper hand after two days of the first test against India at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday with the hosts closing on 256-5 and a slender, first innings lead of 11-runs in reply to the tourists' 245 all out.
The 36-year-old former captain’s 14th test century was one of his best as he overcame bowler-friendly conditions by batting with a freedom seldom seen before in his illustrious, 12-year career as he struck 23 boundaries from the 211 deliveries he faced.
“I still want to perform and score test hundreds for my country,” Elgar said after the day’s play in what will be his penultimate match having announced his retirement from international cricket before the two-test series began.
DAY 2 | STUMPS
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 27, 2023
Bad light has stopped play as the umpires call it a day at @SuperSportPark 🔦
💯 Dean Elgar's incredible knock has steered the Proteas to a 11-run lead going into day 3️⃣
🇿🇦 #Proteas are 256/5 after 66 overs #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/ncc6LLgjdx
A fourth-wicket partnership of 131 with debutant David Bedingham, who scored a silky 56 from 87 balls, threatened to put the home side in complete control until Bedingham was bowled by Mohammad Siraj and Kyle Verreynne (4) were dismissed in quick succession shortly before the close of play.
“Bedders is a hell of a player and an even nicer guy, he looked like a man who had played half a dozen tests already, really calm and composed,” Elgar said.
“It was important for both of us to have the mindset to score runs, not just to survive on a wicket like that. It flattened out a little bit in the afternoon but there was still plenty of movement so I tried to get into positions to score. I wish I’d done that earlier in my career,” said a wistful Elgar.
One regret he will not have to live with, however, is not scoring a test century on his home ground and seeing his name on the Honours Board: “I scored 95 against Sri Lanka here and then buggered that one up, so it’s really pleasing to get it done.”
The Man of the Moment 💪
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 27, 2023
Huge cheers around @SuperSportPark for Dean Elgar after a terrific century 👏 🇿🇦#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/bjkDHvnh2m
In order to reach a total of around 350 which Elgar says is the ‘target’ for a lead close to 100-runs, captain Temba Bavuma is almost certainly going to have to bat despite damaging a hamstring after just 20 overs on the first day:
“I’m not a doctor of a physio, but he’s obviously struggling. He may need to take a cement pill and try to give us another 20 or 30 or one leg, that might be crucial,” Elgar said.