OTD | Former South African Captain Dean Elgar was born in 1987

On this day, back in 1987, former South African cricketer Dean Elgar was born, who has played Test matches and ODIs for the Proteas camp and went on to guide his side to some epic wins. The left-handed batter has played 86 Test matches while having 5,347 runs to his name. On the other hand, he has played 8 ODIs while having 104 runs to his name.

SpeTest matches aking about his captaincy stint, the star cricketer led his side during the U-19 cricket World Cup back in 2006, which was held in Sri Lanka. However, Cricket South Africa made him the skipper back in March 2021, taking over the role from star batter Quinton de Kock. The star batter had a terrific career in Test cricket and guided the Proteas to win the matches single-handedly.

Elgar made his Test debut against Australia on November 30, 2012, where he scored a duck in his first inning. However, he also had another duck in the second inning. The southpaw made his maiden Test century on January 12, 2013, against New Zealand. It’s true that the retirement of Graeme Smith cemented a great place for him in his position at the top of the order in Test cricket.

Meanwhile, the top-order batter made 103 runs against Sri Lanka on July 16, 2014, and followed up with 121 against the West Indies at St. George’s Oval, a ground where he scored almost half of his international test runs and recorded most of the fifties. In addition, the legendary cricketer became the first South African opener to carry his bat into a Test innings since Gary Kirsten in 1997, when he made an unbeaten 118 against England.

The 37-year-old legend has 14 centuries to his name in Test cricket. His highest test score was 199, which came against Bangladesh at Senwes Park in September 2018. However, he does not hold any tonnes in 50-over cricket.

Also read: OTD in 1975: Birth of Shane Bond