He's got all the attributes... he can't go unnoticed: Elgar discusses Burns' Test potential

SAM MORSHEAD: Dean Elgar, who has batted alongside Rory Burns in the County Championship in 2018, is well aware of the stresses and strains of playing at the very top of the sport, having accumulated 51 caps for the Proteas, scoring 3,243 runs

^{Rory Burns has received the backing of Surrey team-mate Dean Elgar as he waits for an England call-up}

Dean Elgar has had a better view of Rory Burns' talent, technique and temperament than most others this season and the South African batsman is convinced his Surrey team-mate will take a Test call-up in his stride, as and when it arrives.

Elgar, who has batted alongside Burns in the County Championship in 2018, is well aware of the stresses and strains of playing at the very top of the sport, having accumulated 51 caps for the Proteas, scoring 3,243 runs at the top of the order, with 11 centuries.

He can therefore offer terrific insight into the potential of the Surrey captain, who has again been overlooked by England for the fifth Test against India at the Kia Oval this week.

Burns is widely tipped to receive his first international summons when England tour Sri Lanka in October and November and Elgar sees no reason why he would not make a success of such a chance.

"He’s doing everything right at the moment," Elgar said after sharing in a 148-run partnership for Surrey's second wicket on day one of the County Championship clash with Essex at Chelmsford.

^{Burns has scored 1,000 County Championship runs in 2018}

"I’m not here to say yes or no. I’m very fortunate to have him in the changing room with me because he’s a very good senior player and it seems his game is really taking off now.

"Whether or not he’s ready for Test cricket I’m not here to say. I’m not putting anyone’s career in my hands with what I have to say but he’s definitely done everything right to deserve that call-up.

"I’ve watched him over a couple of years. We’ve been team-mates back in the day and his game’s definitely evolved a lot. He’s a lot older now and you do mature a little bit later.

"Hopefully things can go the right way for him."

Burns' unusual technique has drawn some criticism but Elgar does not think he is likely to change his ways any times soon, and why would he? Burns has racked up 1,000 first-class runs five seasons in a row and currently averages more than 65 in the Championship in 2018.

^{The Surrey batsman has yet to receive an international summons}

"Rory does seem to have quite a unique techique but it seems to work for him and I think that’s more important and people need to understand," Elgar said.

"He’s got something that works for him, it looks a little bit funny and unfamiliar I guess but it works for him and I don’t think he’s ever going to change it."

With the impending retirement of Alastair Cook, England are in desperate need of stability at the top of the order. Elgar, who says the drawing of parallels between Cook and Burns is "not the worst comparison", sees in his club-mate a man who has the right mindset to succeed as a Test opener.

Burns provides another example of what England are missing

"I don’t see anything that says he can’t make it," he said. "He’s got a very good head on his shoulders, hence why Surrey Cricket made him club captain for this year and I’m sure many years to come.

"He’s got a very good temperament, he’s a very relaxed character which you need going into Test cricket which is quite a daunting and tough environment.

"He’s got all the attributes at the moment.

^{Elgar knows what it takes to succeed at Test level}

"At the moment he can’t go unnoticed, he’s doing all the right things."

Burns' candidacy for the national team has been a hot topic in English cricket for at least a year, probably more, yet Elgar insists it is rarely touched upon behind closed doors at Surrey.

"I’m pretty sure as a player you read things in papers and see things on telly which you obviously can’t not notice but the Surrey changing room is one where you don’t speak too much about it," he said.

"It’s not an environment for players to be speaking about that because it is quite a sensitive topic around cricketing circles and around English cricket at the moment.

"I couldn’t see any better person to try and fulfil those roles at the moment."