Former South Africa Test captain Dean Elgar announced on Friday that he will retire from international cricket after a Test series against India starting next week.
The 36-year-old, who has scored more than 5,000 Test runs, including 13 centuries, will play his final Test at the Newlands ground in Cape Town from January 3.
“As they say, ‘all good things come to an end’, and the India home series will be my last as I have taken the decision to retire from our beautiful game,” Elgar said.
“The Cape Town Test will be my last. My favorite ground in the world. A place where I scored my first Test series against New Zealand and hopefully my last.”
Media reports said his decision was made after Elgar was told he was not part of coach Shukri Conrad’s long-term plans.
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Elgar made his debut against Australia 12 years ago, failing to score in every innings.
He has since become known as a tenacious batsman, with his 5,146 runs making him South Africa’s eighth highest run-scorer. He made a career-best 199 against Bangladesh in 2017.
Elgar was captain from May 2021 to January this year, leading South Africa to third place in last year’s World Test Championship with a remarkable 2-1 home win over India.
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Cricket South Africa CEO Folleti Moseki said Elgar “represented his country with honour”.
“His tenderness and determination are two qualities that really stood out; and these are traits that all South Africans can relate to.”
Director of Cricket Enoch Nkwe added that in the current era of hard hitting, “he is a true old-school cricketer who can dig, absorb and fight. I have no doubt that he will be sorely missed in the game.
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“He always gave his all for his country and never showed fear, regardless of the opposition.”
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