South Africa batsman Faf du Plessis is determined to claim the number three batting spot following all-rounder Jacques Kallis' retirement from ODI cricket Last month.
Du Plessis scored the majority of his ODI runs coming in at number five, but in Sunday's 93-run victory over Zimbabwe he showed that he could be the rock to fill the vacant number three position, as he compiled 59 runs from 77 balls as South Africa posted 309 for three in their 50 overs.
The batsman has played 48 ODI's with an average of 28.31, and has only batted at number three eight times, achieving a healthy average of 32, Sport24 reported.
Du Plessis said that he has played most of his cricket at number five, six and seven but he thinks if it had been up to him he would choose the number three position. He added that it allows him to play his game plan and it also suits the team as well.
The batsman feels that South Africa has some exciting stroke players and number three is a position that gels everyone together. He said that with AB de Villiers coming in at four, JP Duminy at five and David Miller at six, it allows him to set up a good foundation for them.
Du Plessis added that his role for this specific number three position is to anchor the innings and to be as solid as possible, which will allow the other guys to play with freedom. He said that if his role was to play with freedom he would do that, but his role at the moment is to stay there with the stroke-players.
South Africa would be hoping to replicate Sunday's clinical performance in the second ODI on Tuesday, Sport24 reported.