Watch: Dean Elgar stood shell-shocked following his dismissal on 80 in the ongoing 2024 County Championship after he seemingly thought he was out for a caught-behind without nicking when he had actually been bowled.

Elgar, who retired from Test cricket earlier this year and is playing for Essex in the County Championship after signing a three-year deal with the club, made 80 on his debut for the team against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge today (April 5). Batting first, Elgar, who opened the innings with Feroze Khushi, oversaw the team’s recovery from 58-2 to 170-2 before Dane Paterson dismissed him.

On the fifth ball of the 47th over, Paterson sent down a good-length ball that snuck past Elgar’s defence and kept close to the bat. The wicketkeeper Joe Clarke held on as the fielders started celebrating. Elgar, who was certain he did not nick the ball, stayed rooted in his crease and kept looking at the umpire. It was only later, after Elgar had turned around, that he realised he had been bowled.

The dismissal started a slide, with Paterson picking up a five-wicket haul. Essex went to stumps on 244-9.

Watch the moment Dean Elgar was bowled here:

When does Dean Elgar realise he's been bowled here? pic.twitter.com/eVukkpud0R

— Vitality County Championship (@CountyChamp) April 5, 2024

😮‍💨🥵 Shaves off that bail.

Truly exquisite delivery from Dane Paterson to remove Elgar.#NOTESS | 📺 https://t.co/93PCPI59wu https://t.co/YK2bmmfv4l pic.twitter.com/F8vMYwY3bd

— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) April 5, 2024

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