Du Plessis backs Amla to regain

Struggling South African batting star Hashim Amla will return to his number three position in the first Test against Pakistan, starting at SuperSport Park on Wednesday, with the full backing of captain Faf du Plessis.

"Hash has been our rock at number three," said Du Plessis ahead of a series featuring two strong bowling attacks and two potentially fragile batting line-ups.

Du Plessis acknowledged that Amla, 35, had slipped from his previous high standards, scoring only 444 runs at an average of 23.36 since his last century, against Bangladesh in October 2017.

Amla was moved down to number four in the order for South Africa's most recent Test, against Sri Lanka in Colombo in July, with Theunis de Bruyn filling the number three slot and making a century.

"There was a reason for that," said Du Plessis. "In Sri Lanka we needed that (Amla) experience against the spin and we felt it was easier for Theunis as a new player to come in when the ball was still a little bit harder."
"It is important for him to get off to a good start in this series, just to settle the nerves and be confident. Hashim technically he is one of the most sound players in the world."
- 'Get them in trouble early' -
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"It is going to be a challenge for the batting units."
"Our batsmen are used to playing in these conditions. If you can get them (Pakistan) in trouble early there's something in their middle order you can work with. Hopefully we can put some doubts in their batsmen."
"I'm not sure," he said. "It looks a bit greener. Last season they tried to leave grass on but it all burnt dead. I like clarity for a Test at home."