South Africa captain Dean Elgar predicts a spicy Test collection with Australia however says there isn’t a dangerous blood or animosity in the direction of the hosts.
Former Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis claimed in his current autobiography that Australia had tampered with the ball within the first Test of the 2018 collection, two Tests earlier than the Sandpapergate controversy exploded in Capetown.
Australian gamers have since denied the claims publicly just for ex-Australian captain Tim Paine to put in writing in his autobiography {that a} South African participant had dug his fingernails into the ball within the fourth Test in Johannesburg and that home broadcasters had lined up the incident.
Elgar, talking in Brisbane forward of the primary Test which begins on the Gabba on December 17, was requested about any “lingering animosity” in the direction of Australia from 2018 after the du Plessis guide launch.
“None at all. It was a very tough time for all of us even though we weren’t the guys that got the brunt of everything, but we were part of that,” he stated.
“I personally don’t hold any animosity towards the players that were involved or Cricket Australia. They were unfortunate scenes but that period has long elapsed and we have moved forward as a group.”
Elgar stated he wished issues in 2018 may 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,” he stated.
“We both want to go out and play a brand of cricket that our countries are proud of.
“It was extraordinarily juicy, even constructing as much as that recreation in Capetown. It was attention-grabbing occasions, let’s put it that means, and hopefully it has been put to mattress now.
“It was sad to see those events unfold but I am pretty sure on the field there is always a bit of spice. We love playing against Australia. We have a deep respect for Australian cricket.
“Hopefully we are able to placed on an enormous spectacle.”
Steve Smith and David Warner received bans for their part in Sandpapergate but Elgar said he had no beef with the pair ahead of the three-Test series.
“I positively have no dangerous blood in the direction of them,” Elgar stated.
“What is previously is previously. I do not maintain any grudges by any means. Both Smith are Warner are two cricketers I’ve performed in opposition to for over a decade.”
South Africa will play a four-day recreation in opposition to a Cricket Australia XI at Allan Border Field beginning on Friday.
