Dean Elgar made a telling return to the Multiply Titans this week, as he scored a fine century against the bizhub Highveld Lions in Potchefstroom.
Though the Momentum One-day Cup affair still ended in defeat, the Standard Bank Proteas star was glad to be back at his franchise.
“It’s nice to be back in the Titans set up, after a tough few weeks,” he said of his own form.
Elgar forged a strong partnership with skipper Heinrich Klaasen, as they got their side out of early trouble.
“We were not a lot for two. It was a tough wicket to get in on, as it was quite slow. But I knew that if we stayed out there, it would get a bit easier.”
Elgar was especially harsh on the spinners, as he released some of the tension built up over the past few Test weeks. The stand with Klaasen allowed the Titans to set the Lions a target in excess of 300, but a Temba Bavuma century saw them get there.
It was a setback for the Titans, who had been looking for a second win of the campaign.
“On a wicket like that, it is important to start well with the ball. We didn’t execute our plans as best we could, and they got off to a bit of a flyer. The dew also helped the wicket get better for batters,” the top-order ace pointed out.
The Titans have little time to dwell on that, however, as they next meet the WSB Cape Cobras on Friday afternoon at PPC Newlands.
The Cape outfit have been bolstered by the return of Hashim Amla and JP Duminy, with the latter having finally recovered from a shoulder injury.
“They are a very dangerous side, who play unpredictable cricket at times. We will just have to wait and see,” Elgar warned of what may confront them under the mountain.
The Titans have lost Lungi Ngidi and Tabraiz Shamsi to Proteas duty, but the door is now open for a few youngsters to stake a claim in the side, with Gregory Mahlokwana and Imran Manack named in 14-man squad. Elgar maintains, however, that the onus is on the senior men to perform.
“Ultimately, it is call for a lot of character. Our big players need to come in and make big contributions.
“It would have been nice to have another win, but we still have two games this weekend. If we win on Friday and on Sunday, then our weekend looks very good,” he said cheerfully.
As the competition reaches its midpoint, the Titans are well aware that they need to get a shift on. There is no better place to begin that change of momentum than under the mountain.
