SA vs SL: Dean Elgar praises debutant Sipamla for his character

Dean Elgar registered an impressive knock against Sri Lanka in the first Test match by scoring 95 runs, missing out on his ton just marginally. Elgar’s knock brought back the hosts back into the game after Sri Lanka posted a score of 396 runs in the first innings. The hosts ended Day 2 with a score of 317 for the loss of four wickets.

Lutho Sipamla pulled things back for the hosts during the opening session of the second day, ending the day with four wickets for 76 runs, being the most successful bowler for the Proteas. Dean Elgar spoke highly of the debutant, Sipamla for the character shown by him.

“Lutho is obviously a newbie at international level and in this environment it is going to test you and expose you. But the character he showed definitely stands out for me,” Elgar said.

Sipamla showed some fine tactical awareness going for a fuller-length delivery after a poor opening spell by Ngidi and Nortje. Sipamla was rewarded with three wickets in the opening session. Elgar believed it was the Proteas’ squad accountability that pushed Sipamla to pull up his socks and deliver better performances.

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“Pretty much the entire environment tells us to step and I was very excited to see Lutho’s response. He put the ball in the right area and the ball spoke brilliantly for him and for us. If you are going to do that consistently on this pitch, you are going to ask questions and get positive answers,” he said.

On the opening day, it was Wiaan Mulder who kept the hosts in the game with a three wicket haul. “Even a guy like Mulder came in and did his thing. He’s been out of action for so long with the injuries he’s picked up. That’s a sad thing but it is a part of the game. It was great to see him put his hand up,” said Elgar.