Dean Elgar cites 'inexperience' as the reason for their hammering against Australia

Dean Elgar (Source: Twitter)

South Africa succumbed to an innings and 182 runs defeat against Australia which gave them a 2-0 series loss over the Kangaroos in the three-match Test series. The batting unit scored just 189 in the first innings and then folded up for 204 in the second innings. Australia batted once in the Test match and scored 575-8. 

The batters have failed to click as a unit and relied more on individual brilliance which has come to no avail. After South Africa’s earth-shattering collapses in both innings, Dean Elgar went hard at his team and talked about the batters and how the inexperience of the side has not helped the Proteas.

“It is not easy at the moment. That was a bit of a hammering,” Elgar admitted post-match. “We have to come up to speed to the intensity Test cricket deserves. The South African batting failed to live up to its expectations in both the Tests against Australia. Talking about inexperience. The top 6 only have a total of 35 Test caps against their name.

There is opportunities for new players to perform -  Dean Elgar

Other than Dean Elgar, who has 80 caps, and Temba Bavuma, who has had 52 caps, South Africa are, relatively, new in terms of batters who have played Cricket.

“The inexperience is hitting us hard. We have lost a lot of batters in the last few years. There are opportunities for the newcomers to come out, perform and stake a permanent claim in this batting group and make their spots their own, but inexperience is definitely hurting us at the moment.” The Proteas were also hit by injuries before the start of the Australia series.

They did not have the services of Keegan Petersen because he was down with a hamstring injury when he took part in the South Africa T20 domestic challenge in November. Also, Ryan Rickelton was down with an ankle injury and missed this tour due to medical reasons.