Would prefer middle-order spot in Test side – van Zyl

South Africa batsman Stiaan van Zyl has stated that he would like to return to the middle order of the Test side, and not as an opening batsman. Van Zyl opened the batting in Tests against India and England last season, but was dropped from the side in both series after poor results. He went back to the domestic circuit for his franchise, Cape Cobras, and batted at more familiar positions – Nos. 3 and 4 – regaining some of his form.

“I don’t think I’ll give opening a go again. If opening is the only place then I’ll give it a go, but if I have a choice then I’ll go in the middle order,” van Zyl told ESPNcricinfo in Mumbai, where he is participating in a week-long spin camp held by Cricket South Africa. “I’m normally a No. 3 batter but the only opportunity was for me to open when Alviro [Petersen] retired. So I’m a No. 3 and I gave it a go. It didn’t work so well, there’s not a lot of difference between opening and No. 3. But I’ll put the opening aside now and try to focus to get into the middle order. If they pick me then I’d like to bat in the middle order.

“No. 6 is a good spot, somewhere there, if there’s a gap. But we’ll see what happens because there are still good players there in the Test side. Maybe there’s some players that don’t want to play Test cricket anymore so that could open things. So I’m looking to bat in the middle order if I get an opportunity.”

Van Zyl will not find it easy to slot into South Africa’s current middle order. The openers are followed by Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis, and there are two takers for the No. 6 slot in Temba Bavuma and JP Duminy. …

continue reading in source www.espncricinfo.com

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