Dean Elgar has played 84 Tests for South Africa, scoring 5,146 runs at an average of 37.28, including 13 centuries and a career-best 199 against Bangladesh in 2017; the 36-year-old captained his country in 17 Tests before losing the armband in January
Friday 22 December 2023 13:45, UK
Former South Africa Test captain Dean Elgar is to retire from international cricket at the end of the two-Test series against India that starts on Tuesday.
The opening batter has played 84 Tests and eight one-day internationals, scoring 5,146 runs at an average of 37.28 in the longest format, including 13 centuries and a career-best 199 against Bangladesh in 2017.
The 36-year-old said in a statement: "Playing the game of cricket has always been a dream of mine but having the opportunity to represent your country is the ultimate.
"Having had the privilege to do it for 12 years internationally is simply beyond my wildest dreams. It has been an incredible journey that I have been fortunate enough to have."
Elgar captained South Africa in 17 Tests before losing the armband to Temba Bavuma in January this year. He won nine and lost six of his matches in charge, most notably beating India 2-1 in a home series in 2022.
South Africa meet India in Centurion in the opening Test starting on Boxing Day, before moving to Cape Town for the second match from January 3.
India's Virat Kohli has has returned home from South Africa for personal reasons but is likely to re-join the squad ahead of the Boxing Day Test, which is live on Sky Sports Cricket from 7.30am on Tuesday (8.30am first ball).
