Elgar wants to make early dent in England
THE hope for Joe Root is that he will hold onto the job as England captain for the next decade. The hope for Dean Elgar is that he doesn’t completely stuff up the captaincy in the next five days
Both lead their respective teams for the first time at the sport’s most storied venue but their futures as captains are very different. Root has been groomed for this position, the golden boy of English cricket fulfilling his destiny. Elgar’s got the job by quirk of fate – the established man at home for the birth of his first child.
Nevertheless, Elgar can see the long-term benefits in leading his country. “There’s the fact that I can contribute more within the team. Maybe thinking a bit more about the team and less about myself – it can happen in international cricket, you tend to worry about your own game, and not have to make the tough calls, which is sometimes a blessing and a curse. Leadership involves making those tough calls and if that is influencing the environment, that’s something I enjoy.”
There hasn’t been an official vice-captain in the South African Test team since Faf du Plessis took over last summer, but it’s safe to assume Elgar will be that from now on. He admitted that off the field he could be a “clown” but once he stepped across the boundary rope he exuded a tougher and more aggressive personality. It’s the way he expects the team to play in the first Test and he wasn’t shy of pointing out that he wants the Proteas to take the game to England.
“They’ve got their own insecurities – new leadership, new faces in their batting line-up, a few injury concerns…” Elgar suggested. “So I see it as a good time to try and make a dent in the series. It’s going to be tough; irrespective of where you play them in the world England is a tough series, but here in England it will be a little more challenging.”
It’s a clever tactic from Elgar. South Africa has its own insecurities, most notably with regard to the batting. Besides Heino Kuhn making his debut, there are concerns about the form of Hashim Amla, and JP Duminy, while Elgar also explained that the selectors were still mulling whether to start with Theunis de Bruyn, who’s been out of form as well or go with Chris Morris as an extra option with the ball.
Mystery surrounds the pitch which has been under the covers for most of the last two warm days. But Root felt comfortable enough in naming a starting side that includes four seamers and two spinners for this ground for the first time since 1993.
“Liam (Dawson’s) character is exceptional – the way he bowled in India and so far this season has been brilliant. He’ll bring us a lot of control and a bit of depth in our batting as well,” Root said of the slow left-arm bowler.
England’s is a strangely structured team; there are three all-rounders and the three front-line seam bowlers. But like South Africa there are concerns over the batting most notably opener Keaton Jennings, who’s struggled for Durham this season and Gary Ballance, who Root confirmed will bat at No 3.
“I look at his game now and he looks a completely different player and I think he’s desperate to prove a point and score big runs in this series,” Root said of Ballance.
“He’s very aware of his game. He’s worked hard, he’s found ways of putting pressure back on the bowlers and making sure he doesn’t waste scoring opportunities. In terms of his defence he’s more assured.”
Root admitted there are a lot of “unknowns” as far as his leadership and how the England team will play is concerned. “I wouldn’t be taking the job on if I didn’t think I was capable of doing it and taking this side forward. We had a tough year in Test cricket last year. But a lot of the squad is very settled, and we learned a lot from last year and we’re ready to put it right this year.”