Elgar’s passionate plea to former

DEAN ELGAR believes the appointment of a batting coach will be of great benefit to the South African team and he also wants the growing list of ex-players who are queuing up to criticise the coaching staff to put a sock in it.

Following series of batting collapses which have been the main feature of South Africa’s winless nine-match streak Elgar, the most consistent of South Africa’s batsmen in the recent times, said there is value to be had in hiring a batting coach.

“Even though you’re playing for South Africa, you need that fine-tuning from someone else that’s maybe observing from the side line.

“There is a lot of benefit towards having someone like that in the squad, but with regards to who that is, I’m not sure,” he said.

The South African team currently has two bowling coaches – Claude Henderson and Charl Langeveldt – but no one specifically tuned to work with the batsmen. The England touring team has 52-Test veteran Mark Ramprakash to assist the batsmen.

Previously South Africa had brought on board ‘consultants’ to work with the players including Gary Kirsten and Australia’s Mike Hussey, but in light of recent problems with the bat, it’s widely felt a permanent addition to the coaching staff is required.

Elgar described as hurtful the criticism the team, especially the coaching staff and management, has copped in recent weeks in particular from ex-players.

“What’s been said in the media is quite wrong and hurtful. Our management deserve a lot more respect to be shown, especially from guys who have actually worked with them in the past.” Among the most vocal critics has been the former captain Graeme Smith, who questioned the way the team was being prepared and slammed the negative messages he felt were being transmitted by the team publicly.

“It is disheartening to hear those things in the media,” said Elgar.

“I can only give the management massive amounts of credit. People don’t know what our management do behind closed doors, I’ve witnessed it and can’t fault them for what they’ve done. With regards to work ethic, to prepare as best as possible, to give the players the freedom to prepare their own way, they’ve shown a lot of seniority, they’ve definitely ticked all the boxes.” l Quinton de Kock has been passed fit to play so Dane Vilas has been released back to his franchise as has Hardus Viljoen.