NZ vs SA: I Would Have Looked Like An Absolute Idiot: Dean Elgar On South Africa's Decision To Bat First In Second Test
Updated - 01 Mar 2022, 04:22 PM
South Africa Test captain Dean Elgar said that his decision to bat first in the second Test could have backfired against him had they lost the match.
South Africa on Tuesday thumped New Zealand by 198 runs in the second Test at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. After suffering a humiliating defeat by an innings and 276 runs in the first Test, the Proteas bounced back to level the series 1-1.
South Africa beat New Zealand by 198 runs in the second Test
Despite getting bowled out for 95 & 111 in the first Test at the same venue, the Proteas made a vehement statement by opting to bat first after winning the toss on Day 1. 32-year-old Sarel Erwee, who played in his debut Test series, justified Elgar’s decision to bat first as he made 108 to lift South Africa’s score to 364 in the first innings.
South Africa gained a moderate lead of 71 runs in the first innings and their wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne with his unbeaten, vigorous 136-run knock set the hosts a mammoth target of 425. Marco Jansen (3/46), Kagiso Rabada (3/63) and Keshav Maharaj (3/75) rattled the Black Caps on Day 5 as their innings folded up on 227.
It was something that might have backfired on us: Dean Elgar on batting first
After the great win, Elgar credited his players for showing strong character despite going down in the first Test with a huge defeat. The South Africa skipper also talked about his decision to bat first.
“Luckily it paid off for us (the decision to bat first); it was something that might have backfired on us and I would have looked like an absolute idiot. But I’m one of those guys that are willing to live with the decisions I make for the side,” Elgar was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz.
“We’ve shown in the past that we’ve got a lot of characters within our unit and, ultimately, we needed characters to come out again and rise up and make a stand for us to try and level the series,” he added.
South Africa have won three matches out of five, the Dean Elgar-led side has 36 points with a 60% win record in the 2021-23 World Test Championship cycle.
Tagged:
Kyle Verreynne Marco Jansen New Zealand national cricket team South Africa national cricket team
