Proteas ponder three openers quandary

News

Cricket365
March 14, 2016

South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis has warned his middle order that if they don't perform in the World Twenty20 warm up games, he'll be happy to use Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, and Quinton de Kock in the same line up.

As it stands, the Proteas are struggling to fit their three best batsmen in the same XI, as all three prefer to open in T20s. But Du Plessis says he's happy to use one of them lower down if needed.

The likes of Farhaan Behardien, JP Duminy, and Rilee Rossouw have been underwhelming in recent months, partly contributing to the Proteas' recent 2-1 series loss to Australia as the top order had little help.

The pressure is mounting on Du Plessis and coach Russell Domingo to use Amla, De Kock, and De Villiers, given all three are in good form, and Amla recently score 97 against the Aussies, and a half ton in the second T20 too.

Du Plessis said: "Hashim is in form, Quinny is in form. If we find that there is less form in the middle order then we have to try and make sure we have someone in form there.

"There is space [for all three] but in the next two games we will see who is the best there."

The skipper did say that he wanted his number six batsman to be an all-rounder, leaving Duminy as a strong option, while Behardien's medium pacers also seem to have a few fans, despite his below-par batting.

Faf added: "The sixth bowler is really important to me and I do feel we are at our best when we have that sixth bowler option. He is vital for that sixth bowler position."

The Proteas start their group stage on 18 March against England.