South Africa captain Dean Elgar is treating the Test series decider against England at the Oval “like a World Cup final” as Proteas seek to recover from a heavy defeat.
tourists won the first Test at Lord’s by an innings and 12 runs, only for England to level three-match campaign with an even more emphatic innings-and-85-run success at Old Trafford last month.
But Elgar is confident the well-rested Proteas can secure a win that would take them back to the top of the World Test Championship table.
“It’s pretty much like a World Cup final for us, that’s the way I’m viewing it,” Elgar said on eve of the match on Wednesday.
South Africa have not lost a Test series since Elgar took over the captaincy last year and the 35-year-old opener knows what is at stake.
“It’s the biggest Test so far in my captaincy,” he said.
“The players know that, they sense that. You have to empty the tank. You can’t leave anything behind. It’s huge for us, massive.
“I’ve never experienced a Test series win against England, and that’s after playing for 10 years.
- ‘WALK THE WALK’ –
Elgar confirmed Ryan Rickelton, who was in good form for English county side Northamptonshire earlier this season, would replace Rassie van der Dussen after the batsman was ruled out with a broken finger.
