Dean Elgar says he is batting well but the start to his 2018 season has been hampered by uncharacteristic dismissals.
The Proteas opener has struggled to replicate his form from 2017, which saw him end the year as the third-highest Test run scorer with 1,128 runs at an average of 53.71. His record included four half-centuries and five centuries in 12 matches played.
His slow start to 2018 has seen him average 35.84 in five matches, with zero tons amongst three 50s.
Elgar was aware of his slow start to the season, but was confident he could turn things around.
‘It’s been a little bit frustrating,’ said Elgar on Monday. ‘I actually think I am batting nicely. I’m getting through all the tough parts and letting myself down with all these stupid, silly and uncharacteristic dismissals.
‘It’s something I’ve thought about and reflected on. It’s not something my team requires. They require me to bat out a day which obviously puts us in a good position, as we saw in PE.
‘It’s always going to be difficult to follow up on what was a very good year last season. I am aware of it. As a player, you need to address certain things with yourself and get past it.’
In this series, Elgar has struggled when facing Nathan Lyon. The opener was caught and bowled by the Australian spinner twice.
‘I’ve handled it quite crap,’ said Elgar about facing Lyon. ‘Those are the kind of things I eluded to earlier. Simple, silly dismissals which are uncharacteristic of me.
‘In the past, I have handled him quite well. I do know he has developed his game massively in the last two years and I also have to be mindful of that and trust my defence against him, which I know can create different scoring opportunities as it proved in the first innings in PE.
‘In general, I think we played him quite well. The left-handers are always going to have a tough time against him, with the extra rough that is created. Wickets seem to be a lot dryer so our right-handed batsmen coming into the mix are quite important for us.’
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