Elgar sets batting world record for South Africa

Elgar sets batting world record for South Africa

South African opening batsman Dean Elgar equalled a world record when he carried his bat through a completed innings for the third time as his team were bowled out for 311 on the second day of the third Test against Australia on Friday.

Dean Elgar- generic
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Elgar finished unbeaten on 141 -- only Desmond Haynes of the West Indies had previously batted unbeaten through a Test innings on three occasions.


Australian captain Steve Smith also equalled a world record when he caught South Africa's last two batsmen for a total of five catches in the innings, the joint most by a fielder.


Although ten other fielders shared the record, Smith was only the second Australian to achieve the feat after Vic Richardson in 1935/36.


Elgar and Kagiso Rabada frustrated the Australians for 50 minutes as they took South Africa's overnight total from 266 for eight. They shared a partnership of 50 before off-spinner Nathan Lyon had Rabada caught by Smith at slip off his first ball of he day.


Morne Morkel hit a four before falling in identical fashion four balls later.


Elgar batted for 434 minutes, faced 284 balls and hit 20 fours and a six.


The four-Test series, which has been punctuated by disciplinary issues, is tied at 1-1.

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