Elgar to Bangladesh: ‘harden up’

“I didn’t see any bad sledging out there, even from their side. This is Test cricket, and we need to dry our eyes sometimes.” - Dean Elgar

Telford Vice | Gqeberha

DEAN Elgar has denied and dismissed Bangladesh’s allegations of untoward sledging during the Kingsmead Test, and told the visitors to “harden up”. His comments are sure to inflame tensions ahead of the second match of the series, which starts at St George’s Park on Friday.

Asked at a press conference on Thursday what he made of Bangladesh’s claims, Elgar said: “I don’t think they’re justified whatsoever. We play the game hard, and if anything we were just giving back what we were getting when we were batting.

“By no means did we swear or use foul language towards the Bangladeshi cricketers, because we respect them. I think they need to harden up and play the game at a level that maybe they’re not used to.

“One of my messages to the players is that we do everything with dignity, and we don’t throw our badge or our name away. I didn’t see any bad sledging out there, even from their side. This is Test cricket, and we need to dry our eyes sometimes.”

The Bangladeshis have said that the South Africans targetted 21-year-old Mahmudul Joy Hasan, who was playing just his third Test, for abuse. Elgar refuted the assertion: “We wouldn’t go out there and intentionally try and intimidate a young player. We’ll play the game at a hard level, but we’re not there to use language to try to intimidate guys. We’d rather try and intimidate by our skill.

“But, also, this is Test cricket. When I started playing it [against Australia at the WACA in December 2012], the environments were a lot harsher. You were told everything that you didn’t want to know about yourself.”

Asked at a later press conference on Thursday about Elgar’s view, Mominul Haque said: “In cricket, sledging happens and you have to absorb it. I never complain about it.” That differs from what Mominul said immediately after the Durban Test: “Sledging is quite normal, but the umpires didn’t seem to notice it.”

Indeed, Bangladesh seem to have a bigger issue than their claims of sledging with the performance of Marais Erasmus and Adrian Holdstock, who had eight of their decisions overturned on review — four of which went in South Africa’s favour and four in the visitors’.

“I don’t think the pitch helped, especially with the variable bounce, which can challenge the umpires,” Elgar said. “I feel for them because they’re good umpires. Marais is the umpire of the year [for 2021, 2017 and 2016]. Adrian [who stood in his fifth Test] is just starting off in the Test arena, and he’s definitely not a bad umpire. They are human beings — they do make errors, as do the players. But I’m pretty sure they’re going to learn a hell of a lot out of that. Hopefully in the second Test we can have a better show.”

The visitors failed to refer two other unsuccessful appeals, all of which DRS revealed would have earned wickets had they been sent upstairs. “Whatever the umpire decides, we need to respect that,” Elgar said. “Technology is there for a reason. If you don’t use the technology, then you’re holding yourself accountable for [the umpires’] decisions.”

One of the sources of Bangladesh’s ire will be moved sideways at St George’s Park, where Allahudien Palekar will replace Holdstock, who will move to the television official’s booth in accordance with appointments made before the series. But Bangladesh won’t be able to escape the home side’s intensity and competitiveness.

“We’re representing our country and we want to win, and if you’re playing a little bit of a mind game on the opposition, why not,” Elgar said, and hinted that the Bangladeshis’ overly dramatic response to events on the field made them party to their own downfall: “Maybe they got caught up in the moment, which played perfectly into our hands. That’s what comes with gamesmanship. You’ve got to outsmart and outplay and outwit your opposition. That’s the total emotional and mental side of Test cricket that people forget about sometimes. If you incorporate your skill and tick the boxes to the best of your ability, that’s what sums up Test cricket.”

Elgar’s skin would seem significantly more difficult to get under than that of South Africa’s opponents in this rubber. But even one of the toughest cricketers in the game was no match for a slip in the shower in Durban on Monday night.

“I’ve got a few stitches in my forehead,” Elgar said about a visible gash above his right eye. “It wasn’t my proudest moment, but these kind of accidents happen. I batted today [Thursday], which was a concern because of where my helmet rests. But I seem to be OK.”

That’s bad news for Bangladesh’s hopes of recovering from being bowled out for 53 — their lowest total in this country — in the second innings at Kingsmead to seal South Africa’s 220-run victory. Because if they thought Elgar and his team came hard at them in Durban, they ain’t seen anything yet.

First published by Cricbuzz.