South Africa's Dean Elgar to retire from international cricket after India Test series

The 36-year-old has earned 84 Test caps since debuting in 2012, scoring 5,146 runs at 37.28 and captaining the side on 17 occasions

The Cricketer | 22/12/2023 at 13:53

Dean Elgar has confirmed he will retire from international cricket following South Africa's two-match Test series against India, which is scheduled to run from December 26 to January 7.

The 36-year-old has earned 84 Test caps since debuting in 2012 and captained the side on 17 occasions between July 2017 and January 2023.

One of only eight South African men to pass 5,000 Test runs, he has scored 5,146 runs at 37.28, including 13 centuries and 23 half-centuries, as well as picking up 15 wickets.

He also earned eight ODI caps between 2012 and 2018, scoring 104 runs and taking two wickets.

The Cricketer understands Essex are keen to sign the opening batter as a replacement for Alastair Cook, who retired at the end of the 2023 season. He has previously represented both Surrey and Somerset on the county circuit.

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^{Elgar has scored over 5,000 Test runs for South Africa [Sydney Seshibedi/Getty Images]}

Elgar said: "Playing the game of cricket has always been a dream of mine but having the opportunity to represent your country is the ultimate! Having had the privilege to do it for 12 years internationally is simply beyond my wildest dreams. It has been an incredible journey that I have been fortunate enough to have.

"As they say, 'all good things come to an end', and the Indian home series will be my last, as I have made the decision to retire from our beautiful game. A game that has given me so much. The Cape Town Test will be my last. My favourite stadium in the world. A place I scored my first Test run against New Zealand and hopefully my last too.

"Having the opportunity to represent my country and the learnings I've had along my journey is something I'll always be thankful for. It's most definitely been the best learning experience of my life."

Enoch Nkwe, Cricket South Africa's director of cricket, added: "Dean Elgar represents a rare brand of cricketer in an age where everything is about innovation and power-hitting. He is a real old-school cricketer that can dig in, absorb and fight. I have no doubt the game will dearly miss him.

"He has always given everything for his country and never showed any fear, no matter the opposition. He was always there to take on the challenge, leading as captain when the country needed him most."