Former South African players have called on their former team to employ a flexible approach to the Twenty20 internationals by utilizing the hitting power of batsmen AB de Villiers and David Miller at the No. 3 and 4 spots for the forthcoming T20 series against Australia.
Paul Harris, a former South African left-arm spinner, joined Herschelle Gibbs, a former South African opener, in suggesting that De Villiers should bat at No 3 in the T20s, which starts on Sunday at St George's Park.
According to Sport24, Harris said that as De Villiers is South Africa's finest batsman, he should be used up the order where he can face the most of the deliveries, adding that Miller should be sent in to face six or seven overs instead of using him with only about ten balls to spare.
The report mentioned that Miller scored an impressive 101 off 38 balls for the Kings X1 Punjab against the Royal Challengers Bangalore during the 2013 edition of the Indian Premier League.
However, Harris said that it is vital for South Africa to get off a good start in the first six overs and do not lose more than two wickets in the first power play as Australia will boast the presence of some extraordinary hitters like George Bailey, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson and Cameron White, which can do early damage.
Meanwhile, former South African A player and current coach of the Chevrolet Warriors Piet Botha said that De Villiers should be used in the top-four, adding that South Africa should not have a fixed order, but should be flexible enough to send Miller in earlier in order to accelerate the run-rate.
