Elgar out to make impact in future ODI games

impact.

“I’ve got a lot of experience even though people have written me off in terms of white ball cricket‚ which is quite annoying because I don’t like proving myself every year. I’m a little bit sick and tired of that and I’m available for that format and I love playing that format. I’ve played more of it in England than I have in South Africa‚” Elgar said.

“It was always going to be unexpected when AB retired. It’s a massive hole but there’s still a massive opportunity with a number of young players who are coming through. It’s not the beall and end-all of South African cricket.

“The game is going to move forward and there are guys who are going to put their hands up throughout the next South African summer.

“Losing AB is a big thing but cricket hasn’t come to a standstill,” he said.

The Proteas will be involved in a two-Test series and five ODI internationals with Sri Lanka next month, in Sri Lanka and Elgar will be one of a few senior players who have grand recollections of their tour to Sri Lanka in 2014, where his 246-ball 103 in the first Test in Galle laid the platform for South Africa’s 153-run win.

That success was their first Test victory in Sri Lanka since the 2000 miracle in Kandy, where South Africa somehow burgled a seven-run win

South Africa also won the ODI series in the 2014 sojourn over the strong Sri Lankan side that included Kumar Sangakarra and Mahela Jayawardene who were the batting spine of that unit.

However, Elgar is aware of how Sri Lanka have ambushed complacent touring sides on their beautiful island.

“You can never write off Sri Lanka in their home conditions,” he said. “They’re a dangerous side and we bore witness to that last time we were there. They’re a massive threat to be reckoned with but they’re also in a rebuilding phase and I’m sure the players will want to make a point for themselves.

“We’re not going to take it very lightly when we’re there because the series will be up for grabs and we want to win the series.”