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Cape Town - There will be pressure on a decidedly "thin" looking Protea batting line-up in their opening T20 international against Australia.
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Die Burger reports that Albie Morkel's injury has left a big void in the batting line-up, which means the bulk of the runs would need to come from the Proteas' inexperienced batsmen.
Morkel suffered a slight tear to his abdominal muscle while playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the Champions League T20 in India and is expected to be sidelined for between four and six weeks.
This means that wicketkeeper Heino Kuhn will probably bat at No 6, with Johan Botha and Robin Peterson coming in at No's 7 and 8 respectively. While both Botha and Peterson are equally adept with bat in hand, their first priority is bowling.
And Kuhn - who gets his chance due to captain AB de Villiers's injury - told Die Burger that Morkel's absence has definitely put more pressure on himself, Botha and Peterson.
Then there's also the inexperienced debutant, Richard Levi, who's expected to open the innings with former captain Graeme Smith. Smith has a good record in T20 cricket, but has hardly played in the last six months - his only action coming in the form of two T20 matches for Cape Town club side, Claremont.
Hashim Amla - who will captain the side in De Villiers's absence - will come in at No 3, with JP Duminy at No 4.
The No 5 spot in the order is expected to go to either David Miller and Colin Ingram. Both made their limited overs debut for the South Africans last season. Miller is renowned as a big hitter, which could see him get the nod over Ingram.
This could leave South Africa with an inexperienced looking batting line-up, which is sure to come under immense pressure from the always astute Australians.
However, despite the task at hand, Kuhn is eager to grasp the opportunity and will approach the game like it's a World Cup final. "If you get a chance you have to use it," said Kuhn.
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Die Burger reports that Albie Morkel's injury has left a big void in the batting line-up, which means the bulk of the runs would need to come from the Proteas' inexperienced batsmen.
Morkel suffered a slight tear to his abdominal muscle while playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the Champions League T20 in India and is expected to be sidelined for between four and six weeks.
This means that wicketkeeper Heino Kuhn will probably bat at No 6, with Johan Botha and Robin Peterson coming in at No's 7 and 8 respectively. While both Botha and Peterson are equally adept with bat in hand, their first priority is bowling.
And Kuhn - who gets his chance due to captain AB de Villiers's injury - told Die Burger that Morkel's absence has definitely put more pressure on himself, Botha and Peterson.
Then there's also the inexperienced debutant, Richard Levi, who's expected to open the innings with former captain Graeme Smith. Smith has a good record in T20 cricket, but has hardly played in the last six months - his only action coming in the form of two T20 matches for Cape Town club side, Claremont.
Hashim Amla - who will captain the side in De Villiers's absence - will come in at No 3, with JP Duminy at No 4.
The No 5 spot in the order is expected to go to either David Miller and Colin Ingram. Both made their limited overs debut for the South Africans last season. Miller is renowned as a big hitter, which could see him get the nod over Ingram.
This could leave South Africa with an inexperienced looking batting line-up, which is sure to come under immense pressure from the always astute Australians.
However, despite the task at hand, Kuhn is eager to grasp the opportunity and will approach the game like it's a World Cup final. "If you get a chance you have to use it," said Kuhn.
