South Africa opener Dean Elgar will bat in the second innings against Australia, at Kingsmead, despite dislocating a finger in the field. Elgar suffered the injury to his right little finger while taking a diving catch in the covers, to dismiss Mitchell Starc. Elgar did not even celebrate the wicket but immediately ran off the field to receive treatment.
"Dean is a tough cookie," Malibongwe Maketa, South Africa's assistant coach, said. "He was really keen to go back out there and to bat. There's no concern about him."
Elgar is well known for fronting up and even thriving on adversity. Against England last winter, he was hit by Toby Roland-Jones in the third Test at the Oval. He went on to score 136 and said he would not be ruled out of the match that followed in Manchester, even if the finger was broken. And he said he would not go for an X-ray to determine the extent of the damage, calling it a "waste of money."
Elgar then explained that body blows spur him on. "It puts me in a different mindset," he had said. "It's like the challenge is a little bit more. I guess only an opening batsman could see it that way."
South Africa will hope Elgar has adopted that mindset now. Although Elgar will not be needed at the get-go on the fourth morning, with South Africa still needing a wicket before they bat again, he will have a great responsibility when his time comes. South Africa will have to chase over 400, and after their first-innings collapse, will want to put on a better show in their second dig.