Van Zyl confident of doing well against new ball

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Cricket365
December 11, 2014

Potential South Africa batsman Stiaan van Zyl has been knocking on the door for the past few season, and could finally get his break in the first Test against the West Indies next week, in JP Duminy's place.

If Duminy, the number seven all-rounder, does not get a fitness clearance, Van Zyl, who averages over 45 in first-class cricket, could finally get the debut fans have been clamouring for.

But the Cobras batsman has revealed, on Cricinfo, that he would really like to bat in the top order, if not as opener. He revealed that the Proteas coach, Russell Domingo, hinted to him that he could play even if Duminy were fit.

Van Zyl said of possibly replacing out-of-form Alviro Petersen: "In Zimbabwe, Russell had a chat with me and said the only spot that will maybe open up on performance base would be the opening spot.

"If there is only a gap in the future at the top of the order, then that's what I am looking at because I think from three to seven, the squad is quite set, the only position could be in that opening spot."

Van Zyl was released from the national squad's training to play in a tour match against the West Indies, the only player to be granted that, as the selectors look to see how he'll cope against the international attack.

He feels confident though, having finished the previous season at the top of the domestic run-scoring list: "Last season I did very well and in about 60 percent of the games, I faced the new ball. So, I almost opened anyway.

"Of course, it's a a different thing if you stand in the field all day and then you've got to open because normally I've got 20 minutes or half-an-hour feet up but I think my technique and my patience and my batting is equipped for that of an opening batter."