Elgar steers SA to level series

Johannesburg, Jan. 6: A gutsy Dean Elgar was happy to shun elegance for efficacy as he steered South Africa to a creditable seven-wicket serieslevelling victory in the second Test against India here on Thursday. The defeat was India’s first at the Bull Ring in 30 years.

Chasing a target of 240, skipper Elgar, who was prepared to look ugly and forgettable in terms of aesthetics that one generally associates with southpaws, carried his bat through with an unbeaten 96 to set up an exciting final Test at the Newlands in Cape Town starting January 11.

If Aiden Markram and Keegan Petersen gave him good support on the third day, Rassie Van der Dussen (40), with an 82-run stand, ensured victory on a rainsoaked fourth day marking an inauspicious start to India captaincy for K.L. Rahul, who is supposed to be groomed for leadership.

Elgar had soaked in all the pressure and hostility on the third evening.

The Proteas skipper had taken a couple of blows on the head, a few on the chest, another few on the knuckle, one on the shoulder, all of which were like badges of honour for a batter who conforms more with “Shivanarine Chanderpaul School of

Batsmanship” rather than Brian Lara’s.

No amount of lip service could unnerve Elgar as he smirked, smiled and went about his business leaving the visitors even more frustrated.

For posterity, when one remembers this Test match, it will be very difficult to remember any of his 10 boundaries but one won’t be able to forget the game either simply because of an exhibition of how to crush the pain barrier which seemed to be ingrained in Elgar’s DNA.