Dean Elgar
{{Short description|South African cricketer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox cricketer
| name = Dean Elgar
| image = Dean Elgar.jpg
|caption = Elgar batting for Somerset CCC in 2017
| country = South Africa
| fullname = Dean Elgar
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1987|6|11|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Welkom, Free State, South Africa
| nickname =
| heightft = 5
| heightinch = 8
| batting = Left-handed
| bowling = Slow left-arm orthodox
| role = Opening batter
| international = true
| internationalspan = 2012–2024
| testdebutdate = 30 November
| testdebutyear = 2012
| testdebutagainst = Australia
| testcap = 315
| lasttestdate = 3 January
| lasttestyear = 2024
| lasttestagainst = India
| odidebutdate = 24 August
| odidebutyear = 2012
| odidebutagainst = England
| odicap = 104
| lastodidate = 3 October
| lastodiyear = 2018
| lastodiagainst = Zimbabwe
| odishirt = 64
| club1 = Free State
| year1 = {{Nowrap|2005/06–2011/12}}
| club2 = Knights
| year2 = {{Nowrap|2007/08–2013/14}}
| club3 = Somerset
| year3 = 2013, 2017
| club4 = Titans
| year4 = {{nowrap|2014/15–2023/24}}
| club5 = Surrey
| year5 = 2015, 2018–2019
| club7 = Tshwane Spartans
| year7 = {{nowrap|2018}}
| club8 = Essex
| year8 = {{nowrap|2024–present}}
| columns = 4
| column1 = Test
| matches1 = 86
| runs1 = 5,347
| bat avg1 = 37.65
| 100s/50s1 = 14/23
| top score1 = 199
| deliveries1 = 1,036
| wickets1 = 15
| bowl avg1 = 44.86
| fivefor1 = 0
| tenfor1 = 0
| best bowling1 = 4/22
| catches/stumpings1 = 92/–
| column2 = ODI
| matches2 = 8
| runs2 = 104
| bat avg2 = 17.33
| 100s/50s2 = 0/0
| top score2 = 42
| deliveries2 = 96
| wickets2 = 2
| bowl avg2 = 33.50
| fivefor2 = 0
| tenfor2 = 0
| best bowling2 = 1/11
| catches/stumpings2 = 4/–
| column3 = FC
| matches3 = 263
| runs3 = 18,006
| bat avg3 = 42.16
| 100s/50s3 = 52/74
| top score3 = 268
| deliveries3 = 4,175
| wickets3 = 56
| bowl avg3 = 50.21
| fivefor3 = 0
| tenfor3 = 0
| best bowling3 = 4/22
| catches/stumpings3 = 226/–
| column4 = LA
| matches4 = 178
| runs4 = 6,264
| bat avg4 = 43.59
| 100s/50s4 = 10/45
| top score4 = 137
| deliveries4 = 3,109
| wickets4 = 57
| bowl avg4 = 49.87
| fivefor4 = 0
| tenfor4 = 0
| best bowling4 = 4/37
| catches/stumpings4 = 54/–
| date = 26 May
| year = 2025
| source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/230852.html ESPNcricinfo
}}
Dean Elgar (born 11 June 1987) is a South African cricketer who played Tests and ODIs, and also a former Test captain. He is a left-handed opening batter and a slow-left arm bowler.
Elgar captained the 2006 Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2006. He now plays for the Northerns cricket team and Titans cricket team in the major South African cricket competitions. He was included in the Northerns team for the 2015 Africa T20 Cup.[http://www.espncricinfo.com/africa-t20-cup-2015-16/content/squad/910903.html Northerns Squad / Players] – ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 31 August 2015. On 23 March 2018, he became the second batsman after Desmond Haynes to carry his bat through an innings on three occasions in Test cricket history.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22881904/dean-elgar-joins-desmond-haynes-carrying-bat-honours-board|title=Elgar joins Haynes in carrying-the-bat honours board|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=23 March 2018}}{{Cite web|url=http://m.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/101173/natalie-sciver-talks-up-the-importance-of-bowling-evolution|title=Natalie Sciver talks up the importance of bowling evolution - Cricbuzz|website=Cricbuzz|access-date=23 March 2018}}
In March 2021, Cricket South Africa announced that Elgar had been appointed as South Africa's Test captain,{{cite web|url=https://cricket.co.za/news/37749/Bavuma-and-Elgar-to-captain-the-Proteas |title=Bavuma and Elgar to captain the Proteas |work=Cricket South Africa |date=4 March 2021 |access-date=4 March 2021}} taking over the role from Quinton de Kock.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/south-africa-name-dean-elgar-test-captain-and-temba-bavuma-odi-and-t20i-captain-1253753 |title=South Africa name Dean Elgar Test captain and Temba Bavuma ODI and T20I captain |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=4 March 2021}}
International career
=Debut years=
Elgar was selected for the Sri Lankan ODI series in early 2012 but had to withdraw citing injury. He eventually made his ODI debut against England in a rain-abandoned match, but found success in his second match, scoring 15 in his maiden innings before being bowled by Graeme Swann. Bowling his left-arm spin, Elgar had Craig Kieswetter caught out off only his third delivery in ODI Cricket. In the field, Elgar took an incredible catch of Jonathan Trott then caught Eoin Morgan out in a South African victory.
Elgar made his test debut against Australia on 30 November 2012 and scored a duck in his maiden test innings. He followed this with another duck in the second innings to complete a pair of ducks on debut. On 12 January 2013, Elgar scored his maiden test century against New Zealand. The retirement of Graeme Smith created a regular opportunity for Elgar in his specialist position at the top of the order in Test cricket.
Elgar made 103, against Sri Lanka on 16 July 2014, and followed up with 121 against West Indies at St George's Oval, a ground where he scored almost half of his career international test runs, and recorded the most fifties.
=Record opener=
On 28 December 2015, Elgar became the first South African opener to carry his bat in a Test innings since Gary Kirsten in 1997, when he finished 118 not out against England.{{cite news |title=Elgar carries bat but Moeen spins England to lead |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-england-2015-16/content/story/955955.html |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media |date=28 December 2015 |access-date=28 December 2015 }}
On 5 November 2016, Elgar scored 127 during the first Test against Australia at Perth.{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-south-africa-2016-17/content/story/1064860.html | title=Elgar's best, Duminy's second-best | publisher=ESPNcricinfo | date=5 November 2016 | access-date=7 November 2016}} The partnership of 250 by himself and JP Duminy in the match was recorded as South Africa's highest partnership in Perth, the third highest overall in Perth, and their second highest against Australia.{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-south-africa-2016-17/content/story/1064808.html | title=Duminy, Elgar tons set Australia huge target | publisher=ESPNcricinfo | date=5 November 2016 | access-date=7 November 2016}}{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-south-africa-2016-17/content/story/1064880.html | title=Twin centuries cap memorable return | publisher=ESPNcricinfo | date=5 November 2016 | access-date=7 November 2016}}
On 11 March 2017, against New Zealand he became the first South African opener to face 200 or more balls in both innings of a Test.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/new-zealand-v-south-africa-2016-17/content/story/1086404.html|title=Lowest scoring rate in 19 years |publisher=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=11 March 2017}}
On 27 January 2018, against India Elgar became the first South African to carry his bat twice in Tests since 1992.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22233540/120-wickets-grabs-120-wickets-taken |title=A first in Test history: 120 wickets up for grabs, 120 wickets taken|access-date=28 January 2018 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}
On 23 March 2018, Elgar carried the bat for the third time in his test career scoring an unbeaten 141 against Australia when South Africa was bowled out for 311 in the first innings of the 3rd test, equalling the record with Desmond Haynes of West Indies. With this achievement, he also became the only batsman to carry his bat in an innings of a test match twice in a single calendar year.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/10908/game/1075984/south-africa-vs-australia-3rd-test-aus-tour-of-sa-2017-18/|title=Australia v South Africa 3rd Test 22-26 March, 2018|website=ESPNcricinfo|date=22 March 2018 |access-date=23 March 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/australia-in-south-africa/dean-elgar-sets-batting-world-record-for-south-africa/articleshow/63429298.cms|title=Dean Elgar sets batting world record for South Africa - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=23 March 2018}}
=Captaincy=
Elgar stood in for regular Test captain Faf du Plessis when he missed the first Test against England in 2017, following the birth of his first child.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-south-africa-2017/content/story/1108264.html |title=Du Plessis misses Lord's; Elgar captains |access-date=3 July 2017 |work=ESPN Cricinfo|date=3 July 2017 }} In January 2019, during Pakistan series, South Africa's captain Faf du Plessis was penalised for a slow over-rate in the second Test and was suspended for the third and final Test of the series.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25696951/faf-du-plessis-suspended-one-test-due-second-rate-offence |title=Faf du Plessis suspended for one Test due to second over-rate offence |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=6 January 2019}} Elgar was named as the stand-in captain for the third Test.{{cite web|url=https://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/Proteas/confirmed-elgar-to-captain-proteas-at-wanderers-20190109 |title=CONFIRMED: Elgar to captain Proteas at Wanderers |work=Sport24 |access-date=9 January 2019}} He took over as full-time test captain, following the resignation of Quinton de Kock from the position.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/south-africa-name-dean-elgar-test-captain-and-temba-bavuma-odi-and-t20i-captain-1253753|title=South Africa name Dean Elgar Test captain and Temba Bavuma ODI and T20I captain|work=ESPN Cricinfo|access-date=4 March 2021}} His first test as captain came against the West Indies in June 2021. South Africa won this match by an innings and 63 runs and then won the following test by 158 runs, giving Elgar a 2–0 victory in his debut series as captain.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/wi-vs-sa-2021-dean-elgar-banks-on-we-guy-captaincy-mantra-to-lead-south-africa-to-greater-test-heights-1267764|title=Dean Elgar banks on 'we' guy captaincy mantra to lift South Africa to greater Test heights|work=ESPN Cricinfo|access-date=24 June 2021}} In January 2022, during the 2021–22 Indian tour of South Africa Elgar scored an unbeaten 96 in the second test to guide South Africa to a seven wicket victory and draw the series level.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-in-south-africa-2021-22-1277060/south-africa-vs-india-2nd-test-1277080/live-cricket-score|title=Scorecard, 2nd Test, Johannesburg, Jan 3 - 6 2022, India tour of South Africa|work=ESPN Cricinfo|date=6 January 2022 |access-date=6 January 2022}} On 3rd January 2024, Elgar played his last test for South Africa against India, which concluded on 4th January, at Newlands in Cape Town, before retiring from international cricket.
Domestic and franchise cricket
In September 2019, Elgar was named in the squad for the Tshwane Spartans team for the 2019 Mzansi Super League tournament.{{cite web |url=https://cricket.co.za/news/31555/MSL-20-announces-its-T20-squads |title=MSL 2.0 announces its T20 squads |work=Cricket South Africa |access-date=4 September 2019 |archive-date=4 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904081427/https://cricket.co.za/news/31555/MSL-20-announces-its-T20-squads |url-status=dead }} In April 2021, he was named in Northerns' squad, ahead of the 2021–22 cricket season in South Africa.{{cite web |url=https://cricket.co.za/news/38184/CSA-reveals-Division-One-squads-for-2021-22 |title=CSA reveals Division One squads for 2021/22 |work=Cricket South Africa |access-date=20 April 2021 |archive-date=20 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420104034/http://cricket.co.za/news/38184/CSA-reveals-Division-One-squads-for-2021-22 |url-status=dead }} In February 2022, Elgar was named as the captain of the Titans for the 2021–22 CSA T20 Challenge.{{cite web|url=https://www.cricketworld.com/csa-t20-challenge-2022-full-squads-fixtures-preview-all-you-need-to-know/75944.htm |title=CSA T20 Challenge, 2022: Full squads, Fixtures & Preview: All you need to know |work=Cricket World |access-date=4 February 2022}}
List of international centuries
Elgar has scored 14 centuries (100 or more runs in a single innings) in Test. Elgar made his Test debut against Australis at the Waca, Perth in November 2012.{{cite web|title=Dean Elgar Profile|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/2239/dean-elgar|publisher=cricbuzz|access-date=12 April 2020}} His highest Test score of 199 came against Bangladesh at the Senwes Park, Potchefstroom in September 2018. He has not scored any century in One Day International (ODI) matches or Twenty20 International (T20I) matches.
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" border="1"
|+ Key |
| scope="col" style="width:75px" | Symbol
! scope="col" style="width:450px" | Meaning |
|---|
| scope="row" | *
| Remained not out |
| scope="row" | {{dagger}} |
| scope="row" | Match
| Matches played |
| scope="row" | Pos.
| Position in the batting order |
| scope="row" | Inn.
| The innings of the match |
| scope="row" | Test
| The number of the Test match played in that series |
| scope="row" | S/R
| Strike rate during the innings |
| scope="row" | H/A/N
| Venue was at home (South Africa), away or neutral |
| scope="row" | Date
| Date the match was held, or the starting date of match for Test matches |
| scope="row" | Lost
| The match was lost by South Africa |
| scope="row" | Won
| The match was won by South Africa |
| scope="row" | Drawn
| The match was drawn |
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{cricinfo|id=230852}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304041417/http://www.wisdenindia.com/player/South-Africa/Dean-Elgar/4289.html Dean Elgar]'s profile page on Wisden
{{Essex County Cricket Club squad}}
{{South Africa Test Cricket Captains}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Elgar, Dean}}
Category:Sportspeople from Welkom
Category:South African cricketers
Category:Free State cricketers
Category:21st-century South African sportsmen
Category:South Africa Test cricketers
Category:South Africa One Day International cricketers
Category:South African expatriate cricketers in England
Category:Tshwane Spartans cricketers