Former Test captain Dean Elgar has opened up about the tumultuous environment within South African cricket, revealing feelings of "betrayal and disillusionment" after being abruptly removed from his leadership position last year.
Elgar, now 36, has since transitioned to playing for English county Essex following his retirement from international cricket. Speaking candidly to the Rapport newspaper, he expressed his reluctance to criticise his former employers until his contract with Cricket South Africa concluded in April.
Recalling his tenure as captain, Elgar described being thrust into a toxic blend of politics and administration, lamenting the transformation from a sportsman to a reluctant politician and cricket administrator. "I became a part-time cricketer and full-time politician, something that I never want to go through again," he remarked, highlighting the stark disparity between his expectations and reality.
The departure of former captain Graeme Smith as director of cricket in March 2022 exacerbated the strain on Elgar, along with coach Mark Boucher and the team management, as they struggled to navigate the conflicting interests of the team and CSA's administration.
Reflecting on his leadership, Elgar admitted to sacrificing his own game in a bid to manage the challenges, expressing regret for not prioritising his personal performance. Despite leading South Africa to significant improvements in the Test rankings, including series victories against formidable opponents, he was blindsided by his sudden removal from the captaincy.
Elgar recalled the moment he was informed of his replacement by Temba Bavuma, feeling undervalued and unrecognised for his contributions to the team's progress. Despite maintaining amicable relationships with his former teammates, Elgar realised that his future lay elsewhere, citing Shukri Conrad's decision as pivotal in cutting short his Test career.
Finding solace in the conducive cricket environment at Essex, Elgar acknowledged that he no longer fit into the current landscape of South African cricket.
