Elgar’s home hundred gives South Africa narrow lead over India
An unbeaten century from veteran Dean Elgar and fifty on debut from David Bedingham allowed South Africa to take an 11-run lead with five wickets in hand over India when bad light ended play on the second day of the First Test at Centurion yesterday.
The 36-year-old Elgar is retiring from international cricket after the two-Test series but played one of the best innings of his long career as he scored 140 not out to help the hosts to 2565 in reply to India’s first innings total of 245.
He will resume today with Marcio Jansen, who has three, with South Africa seeking to build a decent lead.
Elgar, who took over the captaincy after Temba Bavuma pulled his hamstring fielding on Tuesday, played some unusually flamboyant front-foot strokes in a chanceless innings against a fearsome attack on a track set up for the seamers.
He scored a 14th test century but his first at Centurion, which is his home ground.
Elgar brought up his ton in 140 balls and featured in two important partnerships – first 93 runs for the second wicket with Tony de Zorzi, which set a good foundation, and then 131 with Bedingham for the fourth wicket.
The 29-year-old Bedingham looked assured and confident on debut as he scored 56 before being bowled by Mohammed Siraj, who finished the day with figures of 2-63.
Jasprit Bumrah also took two wickets, squaring up De Zorzi (28) and forcing a thick edge to third slip and then bowling Keegan Petersen for two. Siraj had taken the first wicket of the innings when Aiden Markram went cheaply for five in the fourth over of South Africa’s knock.
Elgar told Sky Sports: “I think things just clicked today. I’ve been in really good form in domestic cricket and I don’t really have a lot to lose now, do I?
“It’s my last series and I want to play with a bit of freedom. But I still want to score runs and get us into winning positions. It did get a little bit easier to bat after lunch and I came out with that positive mindset of looking to score. I’m extremely proud of scoring my first century at Centurion.”
Earlier, KL Rahul completed his century before India were dismissed for 245 in their first innings, moving on from 208-8 overnight with play commencing 25 minutes late because of light drizzle.
Rahul, who was 70 not out at the start, went to an eighth Test ton as the tourists added 37 runs to their first day score before being bowled out.
He had provided stout resistance on the opening day as South Africa threatened to dismiss India cheaply but were let down by spilt catches and inconsistent bowling.