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Du Plessis: AB will not bat at number 3

Cape Town - South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has shot down suggestions that AB de Villiers could move down to number three in the batting order to allow Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock to open the innings.

De Villiers and Amla opened the batting to good effect in the recent two-match series against England while De Kock was rested because of an injury niggle.

De Kock was sensational in the ODI series against England, striking two centuries, and looks likely to walk back into the team, but who will make way?

Amla averaged 91 against the Three Lions at a strike-rate of 154.23 but Du Plessis made it clear that De Villiers will bat at the top of the order in the series against Australia, starting in Durban on Friday, and the World T20 in India.

Du Plessis told a news conference: "We are looking to give everyone in the squad a go in this series to try all the combinations of Quinny (De Kock) and AB or Hash (Amla) and AB.

"Obviously both of them (De Kock and Amla) have done really well and are in good form. It's great that we can have more depth in our squad going to the World Cup.

"I don't see it as a problem. The more options, as a captain, the better. We've planned for this for a long time.

"We've planned for this World Cup for two years and now, a week before the World Cup, to start to change those plans is not for me.

"I'm not that kind of guy. I've tried to make sure that everybody in the team has nailed down their roles and to get chances so that they get better at playing in that role.

"So, for me, a week before the World Cup, that is not really an option."

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