Elgar reflects on Proteas armband axing

Test batsman Dean Elgar has admitted to be taken by surprise when he was relieved of his duties as Proteas Test captain.

Elgar’s last job in the role was the ill-fated series defeat in Australia in January. The Proteas were far from competitive and lost 2-0.

There was a change in leadership as Shukri Conrad was appointed as Test coach.

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Elgar was booted out

And he made an immediate impact as he handed Elgar’s captain’s armband to middle order batsman Temba Bavuma. Bavuma took the job on for the West Indies series which saw his side cruise to a 2-0 win.

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“It was a massive setback for me, one of the toughest and most challenging periods in my career,” Elgar said as reported by Rapport newspaper. 

“It was unexpected and I was hurt by it.

“What made it difficult is that I experienced the embarrassment of the series defeat in Australia. And just as I was trying to get over that humiliation, I was hit with more earth-shattering news.

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“But I knew if I wanted to continue my international career, I had to put that aside and focus on my career as a batsman. I have come to terms with the disappointment.”

Elgar holds no grudges with Bavuma though.

“Temba and I have walked a long way together. Our mutual respect is rock solid. He relies on me when decisions have to be made here and there,” Elgar said.

Looking for a stint abroad

Elgar is looking for a role in county cricket in England. The need is made worse by the lack of game time for the Proteas in the longest format over the next four seasons.

The left-hander is already 35 years old.

“We [he and his agent, Weber van Wyk] are looking for an opportunity in English county cricket during the South African winter, but the decision has not yet been made,” Elgar told Rapport.

“The question I ask myself is: Are you prepared to wait so long before you can play for your country again? The current schedule is not conducive to continuing to play for your country.

“I’m only human and the question I ask is: What’s next? After 11 years in international cricket, you still want to be stimulated at this level.”

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