Elgar delighted to break Kingsmead duck

Proteas captain Dean Elgar says it was “nice” to win his first Test at Kingsmead in five attempts.

South Africa celebrated a 220-run victory over Bangladesh on Monday after bowling the tourists out for 53 in their second innings.

In Elgar’s four previous Test appearances in Durban, the Proteas had lost three and drawn one.

“I’ve caught quite a few hidings here at Kingsmead in first-class cricket and out of the bunch of Tests I have played here, I haven’t been part of the winning side,” he said.

“That’s not great, but it’s still nice to know that we’ve had the upper hand in this one, so it’s nice to have a victory on our side.

“It’s nice to get a victory here at Kingsmead.”

With several first-choice players on IPL duty, Elgar said they had spoken to the youngsters in the side about the importance of maintaining intensity throughout the Test after the Proteas had collapsed from 116-1 to 204 all out in their second innings.

“Intensity is what we were lacking there and a lot of guys need to wake up and realise that Test cricket demands intensity with bat and ball,” said Elgar, who made 67 and 64 with the bat.

“Even at the start of your innings, you need to be at a certain level, being in good positions and having good body language, while running between the wickets can also intensify your innings.

“Maybe the inexperience of the players played a role in that and we had a guy on Test debut, while there are one or two guys who have a handful of Tests.

“They’re not that familiar with that kind of role play, but I trust they will get there and it’s important for senior staff and members to help them speak that language for Test-match gameplans.”