Dean Elgar will lead the Proteas in the third and final Test against Pakistan as the South Africans look to whitewash their opponents.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Wednesday announced that the opening batsman will stand in for suspended captain Faf du Plessis when they take on Mickey Arthur’s beaten tourists at the Wanderers, starting on Friday.
CSA convenor of selectors Linda Zondi is hoping to tap into the 31-year-old left-hander’s experience.
Zondi says: “The appointment of Elgar as stand-in captain is part of our strategy to develop our pool of leaders.
“We have previously used Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock in this role in ODI matches and Dean has previously captained the Proteas at Test match level against England at Lord’s in 2017."
RUNS MACHINE: Pieter Malan is on standby for Proteas. Photo: CHRIS RICCO/BACKPAGEPIX
The Proteas have also called up Cape Cobras runs machine Pieter Malan on standby for Markram who will undergo a fitness test on his thigh injury today to determine whether he can play.
Malan has scored 629 First-Class runs at 52.41 this season for Ashwell Prince’s tournament leaders, including three tons.
Zondi says of the 29-year-old Cape star: “Pieter Malan has an outstanding track record in four-day domestic cricket over the past two seasons, having made more than 1 700 runs including seven centuries.
“He has also made the step up to South Africa A level, first against Australia and then against India A on the sub-continent.”
Meanwhile, Central Gauteng Lions (previously the Gauteng Cricket Board) chief executive Greg Fredericks says the Wanderers pitch is in tip-top condition for the start of the Test.
The ground is in danger of losing its international status if it is docked with demerit points after the ICC rated it pour during India’s tour to SA last summer.
And with Pakistan coach Arthur complaining about the tracks at Centurion and Newlands in the previous two clashes, the spotlight is now on the Bullring.
Fredericks, however, said on Wednesday: “I’ve just come from the pitch now, and it’s fine, I’m very happy with it.”