South Africa opener Dean Elgar becomes the 8th Proteas to score 5000 Test runs

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South Africa opener Dean Elgar becomes the 8th Proteas to score 5000 Test runs

South Africa opening Batsman and Captain Deal Elgar has now become only the 8th Batter to reach the 5000 runs mark in the longest format of Cricket. He acheived this feat on Day 1 of South Africa’s 2nd Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Aussies are currently leading the series by 1-0 with the third test scheduled to take place on January 04 2023.

The Hosts are looking dominant in this match too as they bowled out the Proteas’ for 189 in 68.4 overs. Cameron Green’s Fifer (5/27) was the headline of the day as he produced an outstanding performance just days after Mumbai Indians bought his services for over 15 crore INR. After a quite time with the bat, South Africa will look to respond with the ball on day 2.

But their captain Dean Elgar reached the 5000 runs landmark after he scored 26 runs in the first innings. The 35-year-old now has 5002 runs in 81 Test matches and 141 innings. In those innings, he racked 13 Centuries and 22 half-centuries with an average of 38.27 for his nation.

Dean Elgar got Run out for the first time in his Test Career

Unfortunately he ran out for 26 runs after an impressive direct hit by Marnus Labuschagne on the bowler’s end but Elgar will be hoping to set off in the second innings and score runs in order to guide his side towards victory.

Day 2 will be crucial for South Africa as the bowlers will look to keep the Australian batting line-up far from getting set and increase their lead. Although, Kagiso Rabada removed Usman Khawaja early on in the 6th over and he will have to do something similar tomorrow as well.

Dean Elgar is now the 8th Batter from South Africa to score 5000 runs in Test Cricket and he succeeds the likes of Jacques Kallis (13,206 runs in 165 Test), Hashim Amla (9,282 runs), Graeme Smith (9,253 runs), AB de Villiers (8,765 runs), Gary Kirsten (7,289 runs), Herschelle Gibbs (6,167 runs) and Mark Boucher (5,498 runs).

David Warner (32 off 52) and Marnus Labuschagne (5 off 12) are standing in the crease for the Aussies and the duo will look to turn the heat on their opponents come the second day.

Also Read – Australia’s Cricket Board rename Test player of the year in memory of Late Shane Warne

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