South African batsman Dean Elgar
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- Proteas Test captain Dean Elgar hopes a change in the number of matches played in SA’s first-class system will help take the pressure off the Test team.
- The Proteas were thrashed for an innings and 182 runs by Australia in the second Test in Melbourne.
- Elgar said they have yet to play with pride when they complete their tour with next week’s third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Proteas Test captain Dean Elgar hopes the restructuring of SA’s top-class game production will help alleviate the “ruthless and brutal” lessons his charges experienced at the highest level.
South Africa suffered a tackle and 182 lashes at the hands of Australia in the second Test in Melbourne which ended on Thursday.
The defeat ended South Africa’s proud Test series record in Australia dating back to 2006, and the similarity of those rubbers are changes to the SA national system.
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When Proteas toured Australia with Graeme Smith in the 2005/06 festive season, the now-defunct franchise system was in its second season.
Elgar, the South African schools cricket captain at the time and who attended the Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka, led a team chosen from players who may have experienced franchise cricket but now belong to a provincial system. two levels.
The system calls for the eight first division teams to play seven games instead of the franchise system’s 10, and Elgar hints at changes that could be implemented at the end of next season.
“Hopefully that spiral can come to an end by the end of next season, where top-class play can be better taken care of,” Elgar said.
“It’s potentially in the plans that we should have more first-class cricket at home, but I have to bite my tongue because if I don’t it’ll be pretty useless, but I’ve also been talking about our schedule and how we should play more Test cricket.
“Our players need to be more exposed at this level, and even if we’re hiding like we have now, our players need to be exposed to that.
“We are learning in the most ruthless and brutal way. There is more learning from this than playing and beating a team of similar strength.”
“However, I am a cricket guy and not an administrative person, so I can only ask what will be good and right for cricket in South Africa.”
READ | Elgar laments Proteas’ lack of batting character: “It’s hard to swallow”
South Africa head to Sydney next, having last won in 1994, where they will look to salvage what remains of the Test series and World Test Championship points.
Elgar said they have tremendous pride on the line and will give it their all in next week’s Test.
“We are playing for the badge and the pride of our team,” Elgar said.
“2-1 sounds better than 3-0, so we have to believe we can bounce back and put in a great effort for the third Test.
“Playing for pride is very important for us going forward and I think there are a lot of guys who are suffering next door.
“We need to restore some of the pride that has been hurt in the last two weeks.”
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