Former batsman Hashim Amla has suggested captain Faf du Plessis return to fourth position in the batting order, as the Proteas attempt to recover from Sunday’s heavy defeat to India in the first Test in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.

Du Plessis hasn’t consistently batting in that position in Test cricket since 2014’s series against Australia in South Africa.

Amla, however, would like to see the veteran right-hander arrive at the crease earlier than the fall of the third wicket, come next week’s second Test.

Also read: Final match report from first Test

‘In terms of our batting strategy, I think an idea we can float around is maybe getting Faf up the order,’ Amla said during a television commentary stint.

‘We can maybe get him up to three or two four. When I look at most teams around the world, most of them have their best batsman batting at four. Steven Smith for Australia, Joe Root for England, Virat Kohli for India.

‘That’s an idea for the next Test – get your best place in early. That can settle the nerves for everybody. The idea that he is number five now is to have things settled in the middle order. Another idea is to get him up the order to settle it earlier.

‘He could then get out earlier, yes, but as a percentage, it might just help. It would be better having the other guys coming in at 100-2 rather than 20-3.’

Sunday’s win afforded India an early lead in the three-match series. The second Test will start in Pune on Thursday. Ranchi will host the third Test later this month.

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