Dean Elgar hit 89 against New Zealand to keep the Proteas’ second innings together on Saturday.
The 29-year-old hit a career-best score of 140 in the first innings and backed this up by anchoring South Africa’s second innings with a half-century. The Proteas found themselves in a place of bother after losing Stephen Cook for a duck on day three and Hashim Amla (29) after three overs of play on day four.
Elgar stuck to the game plan, which worked well for him in the first innings and cautiously trotted to his 50 off 144 balls after lunch. He held two important partnerships, a 74-run third-wicket stand with JP Duminy and 80 with his captain Faf du Plessis.
Unfortunately, Elgar, looking for his second ton in the match, tried to pick up the pace and skied a ball from Jeetan Patel into the hands of Kane Williamson.
It’s the closest a South African has been to scoring a century in each innings since Jacques Kallis achieved the feat against India in January 2011.
His 89 runs came off 249 balls which included nine fours.
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Photo: Dianne Manson/Getty Images
