Shukri Conrad told Dean Elgar that he was not going to be selected for the recent Test series against India.
According to Rapport newspaper, Elgar, who had no plans to retire from Test cricket, then struck a deal with Conrad that would allow him to play a final series in front of his home fans.
Elgar – the top run-scorer in SA’s 4-Day Domestic Series this season – scored 185 in the first Test against India in Centurion, leading the side to an innings win after taking over the captaincy from an injured Temba Bavuma on the first morning.
Elgar then captained the team in the second Test at Newlands in Bavuma’s absence.
According to Rapport‘s sources, some senior Proteas players wanted to know after the Newlands Test whether Elgar would reconsider his decision to retire.
However, Elgar felt he had been treated poorly and was satisfied with his decision.
On Friday, he signed a three-year contract with English county club Essex.
Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images
