SA vs IND: No point to prove but want to go out with bang, says Dean Elgar after hundred in Boxing Day Test

Veteran South African opener Dean Elgar was elated after hitting a counter-attacking hundred in the Boxing Day Test against India in Centurion.

Elgar reflected on his hundred, saying that it was more about bidding adieu to international cricket with a bang than trying to prove a point to anyone.

Elgar’s unbeaten 140, which included 23 boundaries, placed South Africa in command against India on the second day, but the man, playing his farewell Test, thought it was all about enjoying a day that belonged to him.

“I don’t think I wanted to prove any point. Just that I wanted to go out with a bang as that is standard I set for myself as there’s no looking back now,” Elgar said about his 14th hundred.

Elgar determined that the pitch had become better for batting because there was no sunlight, which would have caused fissures in the surface, but it remained firm.

“It was quite a good wicket to bat on. Had there been more sun, it would have been tougher. It’s just that it’s been my way. Could have been another batter another day.”

Elgar, who is usually noted for his tenacious defence, wanted to score as many runs as he could.

“Your mindset has to be looking to score but also defend and leave balls. There’s one ball with your name on it jags back. When you look to score, you are in better position to make good decisions, capitalised on balls that are over pitched.”

Elgar praised debutant David Bedingham, a 29-year-old first-class veteran who plays county cricket on the difficult Durham pitch.

“You think he is youngster. He has lot of experience at first-class cricket and lot of experience in county for Durham. He has experience of playing long form. He took to Test very well,” Elgar said of Bedingham.

Elgar also revealed his advise to the young South African batters, Tony de Zorzi (with whom he shared 93 runs for the second wicket) and Bedingham (133 runs for the fourth wicket).

“You need to be consistent and simplify your gameplan and still look to score. Pretty straight forward message and get through two bowlers (Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah) and capitalise on balls that can be scored of.”

A century at Centurion was on the local lad’s bucket list, and the grandiose celebration was an expression of that.

“It was special day as I don’t have a Test hundred in Centurion. My family and friends were here knowing it is my last international fixture here (at this ground). Obviously, it was a show of appreciation to them,” Elgar said.