London 13 September : South Africa Test captain Dean Elgar has attributed England’s victory of 2-1 in the recent series to Ben Stokes’ side playing at the “correct pace” and not performing any thing “extraordinary”.The initial two days of the third Test at The Oval abandoned due to rain and the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, a win was not likely however the Proteas nevertheless lost the game and with it the series, ending with scores of 118 and 169 in the two innings.the hosts prevailed by nine wickets.
South Africa, though had begun the series with an innings and 12-run win at Lord’s but England was able to come back to win the victory in the Old Trafford Test by an innings and 85 runs, and the final test The Oval Test.
“I do not believe they (England) played a particularly good game of cricket.I thought they played at the proper tempo, and when they had their tails up they were hitting when they were required to strike.That’s a great awareness of Test cricket.I didn’t believe that it was anything out of the norm,” Elgar was quoted by supersport.com.
The Proteas skipper said that the inexperience of knowledge was one of the primary reasons behind the team’s defeat, and he would prefer to have cricketers with previous first-class experience in the team for the team’s next match – three tests in Australia later in the year.
Elgar was not pleased with the break of 11 days between the second Test game at Old Trafford and the final game at The Oval, saying that it was something cricket governing bodies had to examine.
“We could have been able to get a grip with the third test and be back at home by now.They prefer two Tests, a good break before playing the third one.It’s not possible to plan for three days of Tests.It was an extended period.
I felt that four or even five days were sufficient and that we could have moved off with the third test.This is something to consider in the future.”
Elgar is all praise for Marco Jansen, who overshadowed the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje in the series.
“He’s (Jansen) an enormous talent.However, he’s also young and unexperienced.He’s got his own mindset and he realizes he’s got two pieces of the pie.If one discipline let the player fall, he can sort it out with the other.He is able to approach the game with an optimistic attitude, he has no baggage and no dust in his wardrobe.He is quite raw.He has never been injured or was a failure at young age.He is able to play with the open, positive attitude and it’s great to have him in the changing room and listening to his opinions,” Elgar said.
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