Aiden Markram says he could bat at No 3 for the second ODI against India at SuperSport Park on Sunday. 

Faf du Plessis’ series-ending injury is a major blow for the Proteas, especially with the side missing AB de Villiers until the Wanderers ODI.

The vacancy has to be filled, and it is looking likely that Markram will shift up to No 3 with a new batsman slotting in at No 4 (Khaya Zondo or Heinrich Klaasen).

‘It would make sense for myself to go up to three, having spent most of my career opening the batting,’ said Markram on Saturday.

‘From three onwards we are not 100% sure of the side. That selection meeting must still take place and will be announced later in the day.

‘There is plenty of experience in the middle order with JP [Duminy] and Dave Miller, so we will organise it and go according to the way the game dictates tomorrow.’

Another option would be for Hashim Amla to swap with Markram, to help the Proteas cope with India’s spinners in the middle overs.

With Amla being the Proteas’ most senior batsman, he should be more equipped to play India’s spin-attack to see through the bulk of the middle overs.

This was not an option for the Proteas’ stand-in skipper.

‘I don’t think so,’ he said when asked about a swap with Amla. ‘Hash has been so good at the top of the order for us and provides that calmness and hits good cricket shots while the field is up.

‘He is a massive asset at the top, and I don’t think there is a need to adjust the batting lineup. I just think players need to develop strong game plans and stay within them for a long period of time.’

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