Dean Elgar is to join Morne Morkel at Surrey on a short-term contract to cover for the injured Mitchell Marsh.

He is expected to open the innings in the match against Hampshire on 20 April at the Kia Oval, possibly playing against any one of  Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla and Rilee Rossouw. Morkel has signed a two-year Kolpak deal with the London team.

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Elgar will then be available for much of the first two months of the season before leaving at the end of May to prepare for the Proteas’ tour of Sri Lanka.

This will be Elgar’s second spell with Surrey, having made three appearances for the club in 2015. He also had two stints at Somerset in 2013 and 2017.

Surrey were hugely impressed with his performances against Australia, which elevated him to eighth on the ICC Test batsmen ranking list. He has now played 49 Test matches, averaging 42.58.

‘I am really grateful for the opportunity to be back at Surrey,’ said Elgar. ‘I hope to contribute for the period I am at the club, on and off the field, and I’m looking forward to seeing all involved at the great club again.’

Director of cricket Alec Stewart added: ‘Given the news that Mitch Marsh will need ankle surgery, to be able to bring someone of Dean’s calibre to the club, at such short notice, for the first period of the season is a real bonus.

‘We know Dean well after his time with us in 2015 and his international quality and experience will be a real asset. We look forward to welcoming him to the Kia Oval.’

Photo: John Cowpland/www.photosport.nz