Elgar celebrates after scoring his third Test century

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

South Africa opener Dean Elgar scored a career-best 121 to make the West Indies suffer on the first day of the Boxing Day Test in Port Elizabeth.

Elgar was well supported by batsman Faf du Plessis, who made an unbeaten 99.

West Indies captain Denesh Ramdin would have been content with his decision to bowl first after South Africa opener Alviro Petersen was caught by Leon Johnson at cover off the bowling of Shannon Gabriel for 17.

Elgar and du Plessis made up for the early loss of Petersen with a 179-run partnership, during which Elgar brought up his third Test century and du Plessis his half-century, before Elgar was caught behind to give debutant Kenroy Peters his maiden Test wicket.

Elgar’s career-best knock of 121 came off came off 239 balls and included 18 boundaries.

Du Plessis and South Africa skipper Hashim Amla kept the runs flowing with an unbeaten 44-run partnership before stumps was called.

Du Plessis finished on 99 off 228 balls, which included 12 boundaries and two sixes, while Amla remained undefeated on 17 off 33 deliveries, which included one boundary.

Du Plessis hit 12 boundaries and two sixes during his unbeaten knock of 99

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Gabriel and Peters picked up one wicket apiece.

South Africa ended day one on 270/2 and will continue batting tomorrow at 10:30 local time or 08:30 GMT.