South Africa captain Dean Elgar will welcome a spicy Test sequence between the Proteas and Australia however with out the hostility that culminated within the sandpaper scandal in 2018.
The two groups will this summer season meet within the Test area for the primary time because the notorious sequence in South Africa 5 years in the past when Australian trio Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft had been suspended for ball-tampering.
In his not too long ago launched guide Faf: Through Fire, then Proteas captain Faf du Plessis revealed the extent of the strain between the groups throughout the 2018 sequence.
Du Plessis labelled Warner a “bully” and claimed the Australians had been abusive in direction of his workforce.
“Australia wanted to bully us … we had to stand up for ourselves,” du Plessis mentioned in his guide.
Speaking on Monday in Brisbane, the place the South Africans are making ready for the primary Test of the sequence beginning on the Gabba on Saturday week, Elgar insisted there was no lingering animosity between the groups
However, Elgar was wanting ahead to some “spice” throughout the three-Test sequence, however with out matter getting out of hand as they did 5 years in the past.
“It was a very tough time for all of us, even though we weren‘t the guys who got the brunt of everything, but we were part of that and it was obviously sad events that happened,” Elgar mentioned.
“I wish things could have been a lot different. The history between South Africa and Australia when it comes to Test cricket is so rich.
“The competitive nature is very similar. We both want to go out and win and play a brand of cricket that our countries are proud of.
“It was extremely juicy (in 2018) even building up to that (ball-tampering) game in Cape Town. It was interesting times, let‘s put it that way. Hopefully that’s been put to bed now.
“Hopefully there‘s no antics going on the field that no-one gets busted for. It was sad to see those events unfold.”
While Bancroft is lengthy gone from the Australian aspect, Warner and Smith returned to Test responsibility following their bans.
Elgar has no points with Smith doubtlessly captaining Australia towards South Africa if skipper Pat Cummins is dominated out with a quad damage, and can be comfy with Warner’s presence within the sequence.
“That‘s their stuff, we can’t control that. I’m just trying to focus on what I can do in-house with the South African side,” the 35-year-old opening batsman mentioned.
“Whoever succeeds (Cummins) if he doesn‘t play, it’s not my decision but I’m pretty sure the games are going to be played in a certain way that Test cricket is going to be respected.
“What‘s in the past is in the past. It’s happened. I don’t hold any grudges whatsoever.
“Both Smith and Warner are two cricketers I have played against for over a decade. I definitely don‘t have any bad blood whatsoever.”
Originally printed as Cricket: South African captain Dean Elgar prepared for first Test with Australia since sandpaper scandal
