Elgar, 39, amassed 5347 runs for South Africa at an average of 37.92 in 86 Tests, including hitting 14 hundreds and a best score of 199 against Bangladesh in 2017. He also captained the Proteas 18 times, including in his final Test against India at Cape Town in January 2024, when Temba Bavuma was injured.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Elgar cited family priorities as the primary reason behind his decision to walk away from the game. \u201cI feel it\u2019s the right time for me now. I\u2019m not getting any younger, 39 years old, and I\u2019ve got a lot of things going on back home with regards to a young but growing-up-very-quickly family.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the right time for me now to be present at home and be there for my partner and my kids. It\u2019s been a great journey so far. It\u2019s not done yet, but at the end of the season, I will be retiring. I was fortunate enough to represent my country for twelve years and then had the responsibility of captaining (South Africa) - that\u2019s one of the proudest moments of my career.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIf you look back at the journey of where I have come from, I don\u2019t think many people would have given me a lot of hope of having a career (in cricket), let alone one that spans over two decades,\u201d Elgar said in a statement by Essex.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Elgar, who captained South Africa in the 2006 Under-19 World Cup, has spent his post-international years representing Essex in the English County Championship, as a replacement for Alastair Cook, who retired in 2023. \u201cThere\u2019s been a lot of proud moments during my time. Obviously, beating England at Lord\u2019s as captain is one of them. That stands out quite profoundly, purely the way we played cricket and the style and brand in which we played it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe transition phase: we started as seventh in the World Rankings when I took over, and when I ended, we were second. When I joined Essex, I felt the pressure of having to replace Sir Alastair (Cook), but I knew that I needed to bring my own style of cricket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always had pride in my performances and, naturally, I play this game to win. Personal performances have never been something I\u2019ve focused on. Every moment I\u2019ve had on the park with the Essex boys, when we\u2019ve won and had successes, has been an awesome highlight for me during my time at the Club.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cLooking ahead, I\u2019d ideally have a sabbatical from cricket. It\u2019s been a long journey, and I\u2019ve been on the road for quite a long time. I\u2019ve got my kids back home, and I now feel it\u2019s my duty to stand up and play for them. I can only picture that when I land (back home), it\u2019s going to be all hands on deck, but being a father is something I have really enjoyed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019d hope people would remember me for playing the game hard and to win, someone who always took their cap off in defeat and shook the opposition\u2019s hands with respect. Someone who was hardworking and hungry and would bleed and break bones for the team and do anything to win,\u201d elaborated Elgar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Elgar\u2019s career drew high praise from the club's Director of Cricket Chris Silverwood. \u201cDean\u2019s career is defined by longevity, resilience and deep commitment to cricket. With a career spanning more than two decades, his reputation as a senior, experienced opening batter has made him an extremely important figure during his time at Essex, particularly in helping develop the Club\u2019s younger players.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cFor Essex, his time was more than simply scoring runs. We had a player with international experience at Test level, proven credentials and an old-school appetite for occupying the crease, coupled with a hunger for victory. I wish Dean nothing but the best for his retirement. It\u2019s been an absolute pleasure to have had him in my team.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Essex Chief Executive Officer Dan Feist also lauded Elgar\u2019s contribution to the club both on and off the field. \u201cDean\u2019s retirement marks the conclusion of a fantastic cricket career, and we are hugely grateful for the immense value he brought to Essex County Cricket Club.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cFor Essex, his time was more than simply scoring runs. We had a player with international experience at Test level, proven credentials and an old-school appetite for occupying the crease, coupled with a hunger for victory. I wish Dean nothing but the best for his retirement. It\u2019s been an absolute pleasure to have had him in my team.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBeyond the crucial runs he scored for Essex, his leadership and willingness to mentor our younger players have left our squad in a much stronger position for the future. He has embedded himself into the fabric of Essex Cricket, and we wish him and his family the absolute best in his well-deserved retirement.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n