Elgar gets his job back

Times Media - March 7 2014

TELFORD VICE, Cape Town

Dean Elgar has his old job back. On February 19, Elgar was cut from Cricket SA’s (CSA) list of contracted players. The next day, he scored 83 in the second test against Australia at St George’s Park.

But Graeme Smith’s retirement from international cricket on Monday, during the third test against the Aussies at Newlands, created a vacancy that Elgar has filled.

“He (Elgar) has all the attributes and qualifies as the next player eligible to be awarded a contract in terms of the new methodology we developed together with the SA Cricketers’ Association,” a CSA release quoted chief executive Haroon Lorgat as saying.

Seven players - Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn - have been awarded two-year contracts.

Twelve franchise players have been offered one-year High Performance Centre (HPC) top-up contracts.

“We are keen to centrally influence the management and close monitoring of these exciting young players so that we can provide the best chance of developing their careers to the full potential,” selection convenor Andrew Hudson said in the release.

HPC contracted players: Kyle Abbott, Temba Bavuma, Simon Harmer, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Eddie Leie, Mangaliso Mosehle, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Stiaan van Zyl, Khaya Zondo.