Published: 29th June, 2018

South African international Dean Elgar will return to Surrey as the club’s overseas player for the final five Specsavers County Championship matches of the season.

Elgar scored 402 runs across three first-class and four List A matches for Surrey at the start of the campaign before joining his national side ahead of their tour of Sri Lanka.

He has now agreed his return to the Kia Oval for the red ball run-in, starting with the visit of Nottinghamshire from Wednesday 29 August.

Elgar will then be available for the trips to Chelmsford, New Road and Taunton to face Essex, Worcestershire and Somerset respectively before Essex come to the Kia Oval in the final week of the season.

This will be Elgar’s third spell with Surrey, having made three appearances for the club in 2015. He also enjoyed two stays at Somerset in 2013 and 2017.

The 31-year-old is currently the seventh best Test batsman in the world and the highest ranked South African in the ICC batting rankings.

Ahead of the upcoming two-match Test series with Sri Lanka, he has played 49 Test matches for South Africa, averaging 42.58.

Director of Cricket Alec Stewart said: “We’re pleased Dean is returning to the club for the last part of the Specsavers County Championship.

“His experience and proven qualities at the business end of the campaign will add real depth to the squad.”