While trying to establish himself as a Test opener, Stiaan van Zyl admits he still has ambitions of playing ODI cricket for South Africa.

Van Zyl is one of four Test players who will leave the Cape Cobras after three games in the Momentum One-Day Cup to join the South African team in India for four Tests. The others are Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt and Dane Vilas.

The selectors opted for Van Zyl to open the batting alongside Dean Elgar when the Proteas toured Bangladesh, ahead of Reeza Hendricks, and he will get a further chance to stake his claim when the Proteas take on India in a four-match Test series in November.

He does, however, also have dreams of representing his country in 50-over cricket.

‘I haven’t played white ball cricket in quite a while, but one of my goals is to play ODI cricket for my country,’ Van Zyl told SACricketmag.com.

‘So I’m not taking the Momentum Cup lightly; I would like to do well in the three games I play before flying to India.’

On the evidence so far Van Zyl’s type of game seems perfectly suited to Test cricket where temperament and patience are vital ingredients for a successful batsman. It will be interesting to see how he goes in the domestic one-day tournament.

‘I have been labelled as a four-day player lately, but I think there is still a place for “normal” batting in one-day cricket. You don’t have to start clearing the boundary from the start.

‘With the kind of talent the Lord has blessed me with I think there is a place for me in 50-over cricket where I can pace the innings and bat through. That’s why I’m not just focusing on Test cricket, I’m still working hard on my game in the shorter format too.’