Proteas opener Dean Elgar announces retirement from international cricket

The 36-year-old made his debut for the Proteas against Australia in Perth in 2012 and has gone on to score more than 5000 runs in the longest format of the game.

He has scored 13 Test centuries and also captained the Proteas in 17 Tests, with nine victories under his belt.

The left-handed batter, who has also represented South Africa in 12 one-day internationals, is set to play his final Test at Newlands, what he called his "favourite stadium in world", on 3 January.

Elgar said: "Playing the game of cricket has always been a dream of mine but having the opportunity to represent your country is the ultimate! Having had the privilege to do it for 12 years internationally is simply beyond my wildest dreams.

"It has been an incredible journey that I have been fortunate enough to have.

"As they say, 'all good things come to an end', and the Indian home series will be my last, as I have made the decision to retire from our beautiful game.

"A game that has given me so much. The Cape Town Test will be my last. My favourite stadium in the world. A place I scored my first Test run against New Zealand and hopefully my last too.

"Having the opportunity to represent my country and the learnings I™ve had along my journey is something I™ll always be thankful for. It's most definitely been the best learning experience of my life."

Cricket South Africa (CSA) director of cricket Enoch Nkwe paid tribute to the opener and said: "Dean Elgar represents a rare brand of cricketer in an age where everything is about innovation and power-hitting.

"He is a real old-school cricketer that can dig in, absorb and fight. I have no doubt the game will dearly miss him.

"He has always given everything for his country and never showed any fear, no matter the opposition. He was always there to take on the challenge, leading as captain when the country needed him most."

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