South Africa puts friendships aside ahead of Conway showdown

Captain Dean Elgar says Devon Conway won’t be treated as a “South African guy” any more when New Zealand visits for a two-Test series.

Published : Feb 10, 2022 13:04 IST

Devon Conway has been in sensational form since making his Test debut at Lord’s, with three centuries and two half-centuries in nine innings.
Devon Conway has been in sensational form since making his Test debut at Lord’s, with three centuries and two half-centuries in nine innings.
lightbox-info

Devon Conway has been in sensational form since making his Test debut at Lord’s, with three centuries and two half-centuries in nine innings.

South Africa captain Dean Elgar says friendships will be put aside when his team comes up against in-form New Zealand batsman Devan Conway in the first of two Tests at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on February 17.

Johannesburg-born Conway made his Test bow against England at Lord’s last year and has been in sensational form since, with three hundreds and two fifties in his nine innings to date. That includes a double ton on debut. Many of the touring South Africans have played with and against Conway in the country’s domestic cricket, so are well aware of his qualities.

“He is playing with a different badge on his chest now and has had a great start to test cricket. His numbers speak volumes and he is in a massive purple-patch,” Elgar told reporters on Thursday.

“But we don’t see him as a South African guy any more, he is living here and playing for another country.”

‘All business’

“I am sure there will be some friendly chats off the field because a lot of guys know him and played with him and against him. But once match-day comes and you walk over that white line, it is all business, irrespective if he is your friend or not.”

RELATED - Williamson ruled out of South Africa series

The South African side has begun to practice for a few hours each day having all returned negative COVID-19 results in the first three rounds of testing since its arrival in the country. Elgar says the team is thankful for the discussions between the respective cricket boards and New Zealand government to ease restrictions and “make life bearable.”

“It is impossible to get guys to come and tour here if you are doing a straight 10 days where you can’t leave your room, basically living in jail without the opportunity to go outside and get some fresh air, practice or gym,” Elgar says.

“They have tried their utmost to make life bearable for us knowing that doing 10 days straight is absolutely not human for cricketers, let alone citizens. We do want to be here and play against New Zealand, no doubt, but you also have to meet the touring team halfway.”

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment