Published: Dec 22, 2023, 03:58 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 22, 2023, 03:58 PM (IST)
For opener Dean Elgar, the forthcoming two-match series between South Africa and India will be his final tour abroad. After the second Test in Cape Town on Friday, December 22, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced that the 36-year-old had made the decision to put an end to his 11-year international career.
“Playing the game of cricket has always been a dream of mine but having the opportunity to represent your country is the ultimate!” Elgar said in his statement.
“Having had the privilege to do it for 12 years internationally is simply beyond my wildest dreams. It has been an incredible journey that I have been fortunate enough to have. As they say, ‘all good things come to an end’, and the Indian home series will be my last, as I have made the decision to retire from our beautiful game. A game that has given me so much. The Cape Town Test will be my last. My favourite stadium in the world. A place I scored my first Test run against New Zealand and hopefully my last too,” the southpaw added.
Elgar made his Proteas debut in an ODI against England at the Sophia Gardens in August 2012. Throughout his career, the elegant hitter participated in just eight One-Day Internationals but failed to leave his impression. But Elgar proved his mettle with some remarkable strokes in the game’s longest format. Both cricket professionals and fans praised his tenacity and perseverance.
Elgar averaged 37.02 while scoring 5,146 runs in 84 Test matches. In thepurest form of the game, he has amassed thirteen centuries and twenty-three half-centuries.
The first Test match between India and South Africa gets underway on Tuesday, December 26, in Centurion. The second Test in Cape Town, which will be Elgar’s swansong, will be held on Wednesday, January 3.
