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Category: Latest news

Elgar Says it’s ‘The Biggest Match We’ve Had in Years’

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The South African test captain, Dean Elgar, put up a great performance in Johannesburg to get South Africa the win to tie the series. He has now come out to acknowledge the situation heading into the third and final test in Cape Town.

“This Test match is the biggest we’ve had in 10 or 15 years,” Dean Elgar, South Africa’s Test captain said. “Winning this series 2-1 would be huge. Beating the world No.1 team, even though it is in your back garden, is going to bespeak massive amounts for our playing group going forward and the Proteas badge.”

“At the Wanderers, the minute we brought the intensity, it seemed to fluster the Indians quite a lot and that can play in our favour.”

“It would be the biggest Test win in my playing career so far, especially with the leadership and captaincy now and having a bit more influence with regards to our players group,” Elgar said. “And from a players point of view, it would be massive for us. We’ve put in so much hard work over the last few months, and we’ve actually been playing pretty good cricket up until now but we’ve not had a lot of things go our way. You need some momentum on your side. We’ve been doing everything right. We’ve been ticking the boxes as best as we can.”

“Test cricket demands a high level of intensity and we have to maintain that over five days. It’s not always possible to maintain that over five days but you have to be pretty consistent with regards to implementing the intensity throughout,” he said. “At the Wanderers, the minute we brought the intensity, it seemed to fluster the Indians quite a lot and that can play in our favour. It would be silly of us not to try and replicate that or even bring more intensity into the next game.”

Kohli Returns to the Pitch as India Look to Create History

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India’s test captain Virat Kohli is back at full fitness and has been medically cleared to play at the Cape Town test match between South Africa and India.

After sitting out of the second test match between the two sides in Johannesburg, Kohli is now resuming his test campaign as India stand with a chance to create history in South Africa this week.

India have never beaten South Africa in their house when it comes to test series. However, with a team like the current team, India have never had a better chance. With Pujara and Rahane seemingly pulling out their forms out of their bags again, it looks like India just might take home the big win and finally add South Africa to the list alongside Australia and England (countries they recently beat in away series).

“I obviously cannot pinpoint when we will have a talk about transition,” Kohli said, when asked whether the team management had had any conversations about a longer-term transition in the middle order. “I think the game itself pans out in a way where transitions happen naturally, so it cannot be forced by individuals, I feel.”

“And if you look at the last Test, both Jinks and Pujara, the way they batted in the second innings, that experience is obviously priceless for us, and especially in series like these where you know these guys have done the job in the past and when you are playing overseas, in tough conditions, these guys will always step up with impact performances.”

“We saw that in Australia as well, the last time we were there (2020-21), we’re seeing that now as well in the last Test. Crucial knocks. Crucial knocks in crucial situations, in crucial scenarios, and that has a lot of value.”

“So I feel transitions do happen, but they happen naturally, and a conversation cannot be forced around a transition is what I’ve experienced and what I feel. When the transition has to happen, everyone knows in which direction the team is moving, and that is a very natural progression, so I think we should leave the transition to unfold itself, and not necessarily force individuals in difficult situations or tricky situations and I truly believe in that.”

“MS Dhoni said to me very early on that there should be a gap of at least 7-8 months between two mistakes, only then will your career grow in international cricket. I internalised that within my system, that I won’t keep repeating the same mistake. And that happens when you reflect on your mistakes, which I know Rishabh does…”

Breaking News: Trent Boult Joins Elite Wicket-Takers Club

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The Kiwi fast bowler joined an esteemed wicket takers group when he delivered a peach of a ball to Hasan Miraz of Bangladesh and got his wicket.

Boult has now successfully entered the 300 wicket club. With the likes of Ross Taylor cheering him on, the pacer lifted the ball in the air as a celebration with the crowd acknowledging the insanely difficult milestone.

“It definitely means a lot,” Boult said after the day’s play, having picked up his ninth five-for in Tests to help roll Bangladesh over for 126 in reply to New Zealand’s 521 for 6 declared. “I am sure it will sink in over the coming days. It comes with a bit of hard work, fitness and pride in your performance.”

“It is very special to have Timmy (Southee) out there with me this afternoon. To join the names like Daniel (Vettori) and Sir Richard (Hadlee) is also very special. Winning the Test match and getting back in the series will be special as well. It is definitely the focus at the moment.”

“I thought the way the boys started, to get a couple of wickets early, not really letting up on the pressure, I suppose we did what we spoke about. It is simply to get them playing on the front foot, and bowl for each other at each end”

“That’s the beauty of Test cricket. The little subtleties that come with different grounds, winds,” Boult said. “The wicket obviously offers a bit of bounce with grass on it. I thought the way the boys started, to get a couple of wickets early, not really letting up on the pressure, I suppose we did what we spoke about. It is simply to get them playing on the front foot, and bowl for each other at each end. Only half the job done but it was a satisfying afternoon.