Proteas Test batsman Dean Elgar welcomed a superb century on day one of Surrey’s County Championship Division One fixture against Somerset on Tuesday.

Elgar, who is deployed in Surrey’s middle order, while England Test cricketers Mark Stoneman and Rory Burns open the batting, welcomed a 40th first-class century. More than a quarter (11) of those have come in Test cricket.

The left-hander struck 103, which spanned 169 deliveries and featured 14 fours and a six, before being dismissed lbw by seamer Lewis Gregory.

Elgar is playing alongside former Proteas teammate Morne Morkel at Surrey. Morkel ended an 86-Test career in early 2018 – and has since signed a two-year Kolpak deal with Surrey.

Meanwhile, Proteas leg-spinner Imran Tahir will play for Surrey in the 2019 T20 Blast.

Tahir will join Surrey after South Africa’s World Cup campaign, and will play alongside Surrey’s other recruit from abroad, Australian batsman Aaron Finch, in the England and Wales Cricket Board’s premier limited-overs competition.

‘I’m always looking for new and exciting opportunities. That’s how I see the chance to play with one of the most talented playing groups in county cricket,’ said Tahir.

‘When I heard Alec Stewart had asked after me, it was an easy decision. Surrey are a massive club and it will be great if I can contribute to helping them win another trophy this summer at The Oval.’

The 40-year-old Tahir was the leading wicket-taker in the 2019 Indian Premier League. He took 26 in 17 matches for the Chennai Super Kings, who lost Sunday’s final in Hyderabad to the Mumbai Indians.

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