South Africa captain Dean Elgar tells Bangladesh to 'harden up' over sledging allegations

Speaking ahead of second Test that starts on Friday, Proteas insist allegations made against them after Durban win are unjustified

South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj celebrates the wicket of Bangladesh's Yasir Ali Chowdhury during Day 5 of the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban on Monday, April 4, 2022. Getty

Bangladesh's Yasir Ali is bowled by South Africa's Keshav Maharaj in Durban. AFP

Keshav Maharaj picked up seven wickets in the second innings on Monday. AFP

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 04: Keshav Maharaj of South Africa celebrates the wicket of Mushfiqur Rahim of Bangladesh during day 5 of the 1st ICC WTC2 Betway Test match between South Africa and Bangladesh at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on April 04, 2022 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Darren Stewart / Gallo Images / Getty Images)

Spinner Simon Harmer after taking the wicket of Mehidy Hasan of Bangladesh. Getty

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 04: Khaled Ahmed of Bangladesh reacts after an out during day 5 of the 1st ICC WTC2 Betway Test match between South Africa and Bangladesh at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on April 04, 2022 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Darren Stewart / Gallo Images / Getty Images)

Bangladesh's Ebadot Hossain has a chat with South Africa's Sarel Erwee. AFP

Batsman Najmul Hossain top-scored with 26 for Bangaldesh in their second innings. AFP

South Africa fielder Sarel Erwee misses a chance to catch out Bangladesh's Najmul Hossain. AFP

Player of the match Keshav Maharaj took 7-32 for South Africa in Bangaldesh's second innings. Getty

South African captain Dean Elgar has told Bangladesh that they need to “harden up” if they are going to prosper in Test cricket.

The Proteas ran out convincing 220-run victors in the Durban first Test after skittling out Bangladesh for just 53 on the fifth day at Kingsmead.

But the performance has been somewhat overshadowed since by accusations of “unbearable sledging” made by the tourists against South Africa players as well as criticism of the match umpiring.

Bangladesh cricket operations chief Jalal Yunus said on Tuesday that his board would make an official complaint to the International Cricket Council about what he described as biased umpiring and the sledging of the home team.

Speaking before the second Test, which starts at St George's Park on Friday, Elgar said South Africa played the game hard but stopped short of swearing or using foul language towards their opponents.

“I don't think they are justified whatsoever,” said Elgar. “We play the game hard [but] if anything we were just giving back what we were getting when we were batting.

“This is Test cricket. It's a man's environment when it comes to playing at this level and I intend still to play the game hard.

“We don't swear or use foul language towards the Bangladesh batsmen because we still respect them. I think they need to harden up and maybe play the game at a level they're not used to.

“We do everything with dignity and we don't throw our badge or our name away. I honestly didn't see any bad sledging out there, even from their side. I just think this is Test cricket and we need to dry our eyes sometimes.”

The umpiring in Durban was in the spotlight with an unusually high number of 21 reviews – 11 by Bangladesh and 10 by South Africa – with four reviews upheld for each team.

South Africans Marais Erasmus and Adrian Holdstock were the men in charge under the ICC's coronavirus restrictions, leading the Bangladeshis to call for neutral umpires.

“The umpiring was tough,” said Elgar. “I don't think the wicket helped. There was variable bounce which can challenge the umpires.

“I feel for them because they are good umpires. The human factor needs to be spoken of, they do make errors, as do the players, but I'm pretty sure they're going to learn a lot out of that.

“The umpires make decisions and we need to respect that. The technology is there for a reason. If you don't use the technology you're kind of holding yourself accountable for their decisions as well.”

Elgar appeared at the online press conference with bruising on his face and stitches above his right eye. He said it was the result of slipping in the shower in Durban on Monday night.

“I've got a few stitches in my forehead,” he said. “I batted today, it was going to be a concern with where my helmet rests. I don't think I'm too far from where the doctor takes the stitches out. But I'm OK.”