Elgar grateful to get county stint

South Africa opener Dean Elgar has opened up about the tour to New Zealand and the upcoming visit to England which straddles the Champions Trophy this winter.

Elgar is unlikely to feature in the ODI team that will face England in an ODI series and will then contest the Champions Trophy in June but he will be over in the UK playing for Somerset.

The stoic left-hander and opening partner Stephen Cook, who will feature for Durham, have secured county stints that should see them well prepared for a Test series of immense importance.

Elgar told the gathered media at OR Tambo airport: “I am fortunate that I am going to play county cricket which is one of my objectives with regard to preparing for the English series from May.

“Just try to get used to the conditions a little bit and give myself the best opportunity to succeed when I return with the national team.”

The opener said that he feels for Cook who was dropped for the third Test against New Zealand after a poor run of form but that he understood the process.

Elgar added: “It’s not easy‚ I have been there before myself where you get dropped and you go into a dark place because things are not going for you.

“We have been fortunate because we are winning and we have had the same personnel in the team. He is a hard worker‚ massive team player and for him to miss a Test is unfortunate but we have to understand the processes.”

The 29-year-old also backed Russell Domingo to continue to bring success to the Proteas in the wake of the news that the coach will have to reapply for his position after the tour to England.

He said: “Personally‚ I would like to see him stay on. I think he still has another two years of his cricket coaching and mentorship.

“I think he is getting better with age‚ he still has a hell lot to offer to the team‚ the players around also would like to see him stay. I am a big Russell Domingo fan and if he is going to continue being the coach I am more than happy.”