On Thursday, Dean Elgar, South Africa’s Test captain, defended his team against allegations of “unbearable sledding” during the first Test against Bangladesh in Durban. He said that people in Bangladesh need to “harden up” if they want to play the game at a high level.
Before the second Test, which starts on Friday, Elgar said that South Africa played hard but didn’t swear or use bad language about their opponents.
“Sledging” and “biassed” umpires are two things Bangladesh cricket operations chief Jalal Yunus said on Tuesday. His board will make an official complaint to the International Cricket Council about these things.
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“I don’t think they’re right,” said Elgar. I think we played the game very well. We just gave back to the pitcher what he gave us.
In Test cricket, “this is what we do.” This level of play is a man’s game. I still plan to play hard, but it’s not going to be easy.
The Bangladesh batters are still vital to us, so we don’t swear or use bad language toward them. People need to get tougher and play the game at a level they’re not used to, says Elgar.
The South African captain told them: “We do everything with honor, and we don’t give away our badge or our name.”
Because I saw no lousy sledding, even from their side of the road.” I think this is Test cricket, and we need to wipe our eyes from time to time.
Umpiring in Durban was under much attention because there were 21 reviews, 11 from Bangladesh and 10 from South Africa. Four reviews for each team were upheld.
People from South Africa were in charge of the ICC’s coronavirus rules, which made the Bangladeshis want neutral umpires.
“I don’t think the wicket did anything for me.” He said the umpires were hard. There was a lot of variation in bounce, which can be challenging for the umpires.
The reason I feel bad for them is that they are good umpires. People make mistakes, but I’m pretty sure they’ll learn a lot from that, which will help them improve.
Many people use technology for a reason, but not everyone does. They make the decisions, and we should respect that. In some ways, if you don’t use the technology, you’re also making yourself responsible for their choices.”
Shower accident
In the online press conference, Elgar looked bruised and had stitches above his right eye because he had been hit in the face. He said that he fell in the shower in Durban on Monday night and broke his arm.
“I have a few stitches in my forehead,” he told them. This was going to be a problem with where my helmet sat. I hit today. If I were to move, I don’t think I’d be far from where the doctor removes the stitches. But I’m fine, too.
Mominul Haque, the Bangladesh captain, spoke only briefly about the controversy in Durban. He denied that he had personally complained about how the South African team was behaving.
“I never said anything bad about sledging.” He said it happens in cricket, and you have to deal with it.
Mominul said he hoped Tamim Iqbal would be well enough to play in the second Test after being sick.
When he looked at the field, he said it looked dry. Bangladesh would wait until Friday morning to decide whether to play an extra spinner or a seam bowler.