Surrey sign Dean Elgar as overseas player

South Africa opener Dean Elgar has been roped in by Surrey as an overseas player for the early part of the upcoming County Championship season.

The 30-year-old is expected to be available for the club's first match of the County Championship against Hampshire, beginning April 20.

Subsequently, Elgar will be unavailable for a Championship match against Worcestershire in May before he is once again expected to feature in Surrey's all other games prior to the end of May.

Elgar has been called in Surrey's squad as a replacement for injured Australian fast bowler Mitchell Marsh, who is required to undergo a surgery to treat his ankle.

Reflecting on the same, Surrey's director of cricket Alec Stewart expressed confident that Elgar's international quality and skills would surely be a real asset to his club.

"Given the news that Mitch Marsh will need ankle surgery, to be able to bring someone of Dean's calibre to the club, at such short notice, for the first period of the season is a real bonus.We know Dean well after his time with us in 2015 and his international quality and experience will be a real asset. We look forward to welcoming him to the Kia Oval," ESPNcricinfo quoted Stewart as saying.

Elgar, who has appeared in 49 Tests for South Africa and is currently ranked No 8 in the ICC's Test rankings, had earlier played for Somerset, who he first represented in 2013 (when he averaged 40 in the Championship) and then in 2017 (when he averaged 47).