WI v SA 2021: "I have always been a leader," says South Africa captain Dean Elgar

Dean Elgar-led South Africa white washed West Indies in the two-Test series.

By Ankitjit Singh - 25 Jun, 2021

Dean Elgar said that the two-Test match series win against the West Indies in his first outing as a full-time South Africa Test skipper made him feel like he is a natural fit for the job of leading the country.

South Africa recently thumped West Indies in an away series. The visitors comprehensively defeated Kraigg Braithwaite-led side by 158-run in the first Test and then followed it with an innings and 63 runs victory in the second Test match to complete a whitewash. 

The series victory over West Indies also marked Dean Elgar’s first Test series victory as a full-time South African Test skipper.

Dean Elgar said that he is a natural fit for the job of leading the country because he has always been a leader at school and club cricket and he does not shy away from responsibility. 

“It's (leadership) something I've always thought I have been born with. I have always been a leader, at school, club cricket through franchise cricket. I always like to think I've led from the front. 

WI v SA 2021: Dean Elgar feels Proteas needs go back to 'South African way' of cricket 

“I am a small guy in stature but a big guy when it comes to standing up and being the representer. It's (captaincy) a massive honor. I don't shy away from that responsibility, and I don't shy away from saying that,” Dean Elgar told ESPNCricinfo inputs. 

Elgar admitted that over the past few months South Africa has struggled but said that they are trying to work on it. 

"We've struggled and it's not fine for us that we've struggled. We've addressed that and we've been trying to work on it. The biggest thing is to attack your weaknesses to try to make them strengths,” he said. 

Kagiso Rabada scored a career-best 40 and notched up a 70-run eighth-wicket partnership with Rassie van der Dussen to help the Proteas set West Indies a 300-run target in the second Test.

While talking about the same, Dean Elgar said that Kagiso Rabada is a lot more talented than he thinks. He revealed that before arriving in West Indies they had a conversation regarding his batting and it was great to see him perform. 

"He is a lot more talented than what he thinks he is. It's a conversation we had prior to leaving for the series -- that he needs to work on his batting. So it was great to see him take ownership in that department,” he said. 

South Africa will now lock horns against West Indies in the five-T20I series, starting Saturday (26th June) 

(IANS/ESPNCricinfo inputs) 

By Ankitjit Singh - 25 Jun, 2021

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