5 reasons why Dean Elgar is the perfect replacement for Graeme Smith in Test cricket

#4 Ability to wear down a new-ball attack

Dean Elgar has steadfastly developed himself into a sturdy force with the bat in Test cricket

Playing out the new ball is a foremost task for an opening batsman. It’s not every time that batsmen get to play on flat wickets where they can afford to play the ball on the up. Sometimes, the pitches have green grass and wide cracks, which assist fast bowlers and spin bowlers respectively.

Elgar has played pretty efficiently in alien conditions and has steadily developed himself into a sturdy force with the bat in Test cricket. He doesn’t mind putting his head down and take South Africa off to healthy starts in the most challenging version of the sport.

While opposition bowlers look to make early inroads into the Proteas batting line-up, the left-handed batsman stands tall and takes the sheen off the new ball.