JOHANNESBURG: Former South Africa Test captain Dean Elgar announced Friday that he will retire from international cricket after a Test series against India starting next week.
The 36-year-old, who has hit more than 5,000 Test runs including 13 centuries, will play his last Test at the Newlands ground in Cape Town starting January 3.
“As they say, ‘all good things come to an end’, and the Indian home series will be my last, as I have made the decision to retire from our beautiful game,” Elgar declared.
“The Cape Town Test will be my last. My favorite stadium in the world. A place I scored my first Test run against New Zealand and hopefully my last too.”
Media reports said his decision came after Elgar was told he was not part of coach Shukri Conrad’s long-term plans.
Elgar made his debut against Australia 12 years ago, failing to score in each innings.
Since then he has become known as a stubborn batter, his 5,146 runs making him South Africa’s eighth highest scorer. He hit a career best 199 against Bangladesh in 2017.
Elgar was captain from May 2021 until January this year, leading South Africa to third place in last year’s World Test Championship with a notable 2-1 home series win over India.
Cricket South Africa chief executive Pholetsi Moseki said Elgar has “represented his country with honor.”
“His grittiness and determination are two qualities that really stood out; and these are attributes that all South Africans can relate to.”
Director of cricket Enoch Nkwe added that in the current age of power-hitting, “he is a real old-school cricketer that can dig in, absorb and fight. I have no doubt the game will dearly miss him.
“He has always given everything for his country and never showed any fear, no matter the opposition.”
Former South Africa captain Dean Elgar to retire from international cricket
https://arab.news/6sy36
Former South Africa captain Dean Elgar to retire from international cricket
- Elgar says will retire from international cricket after Test series against India starting next week
- 36-year-old has scored over 5,000 Test runs, hit 13 centuries in a career spanning 12 years
Rajkovic excels as Al-Ittihad cruise to victory against Al-Shabab
- Al-Ittihad secure fifth Saudi Pro League win of the season with a 2-0 victory
JEDDAH: It has not been the start to the season that Al-Ittihad fans had anticipated. Nevertheless, on their return to Saudi Pro League action after a 36-day hiatus, the defending champions delivered a performance that offered renewed confidence ahead of a demanding run of seven matches in the space of 30 days.
The opening exchanges proved far from straightforward for The Tigers.
Attempting to play out from the back, they were punished within the first two minutes as Abdullah Matuq pounced on a mistake to find himself one-on-one with Predrag Rajkovic, only for the Serbian goalkeeper to produce the first of several crucial saves. Just 60 seconds later, Rajkovic was called into action again, this time denying a header from a corner.
Momentum soon shifted. Roger Fernandes began to cause problems down the left wing, his quick footwork getting the better of Al-Shabab’s defence before he delivered a low cross into the box. Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, aided by Karim Benzema’s intelligent screening of Saad Balobaid, met it to open the scoring in the 16th minute.
Al-Ittihad came close to doubling their advantage in the 28th minute. Mohannad Al-Shangeeti struck the far post with a powerful effort, before his follow-up attempt narrowly missed the target, drifting wide of Marcelo Grohe’s goal.
Grohe was later called upon to keep Al-Shabab in the contest, producing a fine save in the 58th minute to deny Benzema after the Frenchman was released by a perfectly weighted pass from Steven Bergwijn.
Al-Ittihad continued to dominate possession, though Imanol Alguacil’s side managed to limit Fernandes’ influence by committing extra defensive cover on the left flank.
That adjustment failed to account for Al-Shangeeti’s runs from deep, as he surged down the right to find Bergwijn, who finished first time to seal the contest for the hosts in the 85th minute.
Late substitute Abdulaziz Al-Bishi thought he had added a third in the closing stages, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
The win lifts Al-Ittihad into sixth place on 17 points, while Al-Shabab remain just two points above the relegation zone, extending their winless run to eight matches since their Matchday 2 victory over Al-Hazem.
