Elgar made a career-best 127 at the venue where he scored a pair of ducks on debut in 2012
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South Africa opening batsman Dean Elgar has revealed that he was motivated rather than irritated by Australia’s attempts to get under his skin via sledging.
Elgar scored his first Test century in nearly a year, with the last having come against England in December 2015, to put the Proteas in a commanding position at the end of the third day.
The 29-year-old, who scored a career-best 127, was unable to have an impact the last time he faced the Baggy Greens in Perth as he scored a pair of ducks while on debut four years ago.
“I don’t think a ball had even been bowled and the guys were having a go,” Elgar told ABC Radio. “Davey (Warner) and (Nathan) Lyon were having a full go, just reminding me a little bit about it.
“But actually it motivated me a lot more. It made me think about the bigger picture, which was obviously our team and putting us in a great position.”
Having failed to get off the mark in his last match against Australia at the WACA, Elgar admitted that he was relieved to have made his presence felt at the venue on Saturday.
“Getting off that pair I’ve been on for four years on this ground – it was a good thing to have,” he said. “I’m sure everyone knows about the demons I have on this ground.”
The Welkom native added that he was glad to see all-rounder JP Duminy back among the runs in the longest format of the game as the 32-year-old made a spectacular 141. Prior to that knock, Duminy had not made a Test hundred since scoring 100 not out against Sri Lanka in July 2014.
Former South Africa batsman Ashwell Price revealed that Duminy, who was involved in a 250-run partnership with Elgar, had considered retiring from Test cricket at the beginning of the year after he was dropped for the New Year’s Test against England in Cape Town.
“He’s been fighting a few demons when it comes to the white clothing cricket,” Elgar said. “I’m happy to see the way he played. Hopefully there’s a lot more to come from him.”