- Proteas batting coach Justin Sammons is adamant that South Africa will continue to back captain and opening batsman Dean Elgar.
- Elgar has only scored 31 runs in the two-match Test series against Australia as the Proteas look to avoid a shutout in Sydney.
- Sammons also adds that the Proteas will have to go in with a positive mindset similar to Centurion Usman Khawaja when they finally bat in the third Test.
The Proteas will continue to back struggling captain Dean Elgar in the ongoing three-match Test series against Australia.
South Africa have already succumbed to a 2-0 loss in the Test series, with Australia dominating proceedings at a rain-affected Sydney Cricket Ground.
Despite Friday’s third day being thrown out without a ball being thrown, the hosts sit comfortably at 475-4, with Usman Khawaja unbeaten on 195 and less rain expected on day four.
But it’s been a poor showing with the bat for the Proteas, who are led by starter and skipper Elgar.
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Elgar has struggled in the middle along with the top order Proteas as the Proteas Test captain has only managed to score 3, 2, 26 and 0 in the opening two Tests.
Proteas hitting coach Justin Sammons believes Elgar, who is averaging 7.75 in the Test series, is a fighter and will find form.
“I mean, you need a little bit of luck from time to time. He’s had a couple of referee calls, two leg dismissals, so it hasn’t gone well,” Sammons told reporters on Friday.
“He’s a fighter, you know, the tour isn’t over for him yet. We still have two big days ahead of us and hopefully it can end on a positive note.”
“But he’s doing his best and we’ve got our back. We know he’s key to our hitting unit. Sometimes you need to get things right, it’s a thin-margin game.”
After the SA20, the Proteas take on the West Indies in a two-match Test series from February 28 to March 12 in Gauteng.
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Australia are pushing for a series of shutouts to seal a place in the World Test Championship final in London in June.
Meanwhile, the Proteas fight to survive, and a prompt declaration is expected on Saturday the fourth.
“If Khawaja wasn’t at 190-something, then I would say they declared right away. So they could let him out and try to get to that double and then declare,” Sammons said.
Sammons adds that the Proteas should start their first innings on a positive note after witnessing Khawaja’s fine century at a decent Sydney wicket.
“I think what Khawaja has done so well is he was positive and scored within his game plan. I think that’s going to be the key for us,” said the Proteas hitting coach.
“We still have that positive mindset, it’s not just about survival for us. We still have this game and then two against the West Indies to finish our season. And we want to be as confident going into that West Indies series. We want to finish strong.”
Saturday’s game begins at 01:30 SA time.
