YASH MITTAL ∙ 5 Apr 2022
Dean Elgar unhappy with South Africa's batting performance in Durban
South Africa may have won the first Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh by a comprehensive margin of 220 runs, but their skipper Dean Elgar isn't happy with the batting performance of the hosts. Familiar collapses came back to hound the Proteas in Durban as Ebadot Hossain, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz ran through their middle and lower order in the second innings to reduce from 1-116 to 204 all-out. And while the lead proved to be more than enough, Elgar demanded more intensity from his batters moving forward. "We were lacking intensity. A lot of guys need to wake up and realise that Test cricket demands intensity. Whether you have the ball or bat in hand. Even at the start of the innings you need to be up at a certain level, whether it's being in good positions, and having good body language, or even running between the wickets - that all sets a level of intensity for your innings." said Elgar as quoted by iol.co.za. When asked if he got concerned when South Africa suffered a collapse in their second innings, the gritty opener, who scored half-centuries in both innings, said that he wasn't too perturbed as it exposed his players to the areas in which they seem to be lacking. "I wasn't too concerned. I was actually glad it happened, to expose the guys to those areas that they were lacking," There are quite a few youngsters in South Africa's batting line-up, and Elgar believes that it is the responsibility of the senior players to help them get familiar with their role. "The inexperience of players - we need to be mindful of that - we had a guy making his debut…they are not familiar with that role play. They will get there. It is important for us as senior players and the coaching staff to speak still that language about the small game plans they require for Test cricket." He signed off by stating that while the Proteas were fortunate that they had enough runs in the bank, he still wanted more intensity from his batters. South Africa rode on brilliant spells from Keshav Maharaj, who claimed 7/32, and Simon Harmer as they shot out Bangladesh for a mere 53 on the fifth morning to claim a comprehensive 220-run win and 12 valuable WTC points. The second Test will take place at Port Elizabeth from April 8.
