Cricket: Duminy will bat higher - Malan

The genuine intention is to phone coach Heinrich Malan about the first-class match against the Auckland Aces in Napier today.

But who are we kidding?

There's bigger fish to fry than worry about last-placed Devon Hotel Central Districts Stags' Plunket Shield match starting at Nelson Park.

Malan laughs but agrees it's business as usual for his men who are ironically the 2014-15 Ford Trophy one-day champions this summer although those not on the field will hook up "to the old internet to keep up with speed" with today's ICC World Cup semifinal.

"It'll be the first time New Zealand or South Africa will be in the cup final so from my point of view it'll be pretty exciting," the South African coach said last night, although mindful rain may bring tomorrow into play as a reserve day.

Firstly, he felt both teams have parity in their batting, bowling and fielding prowess reflected in the players' abilities to step up on any day when regulars haven't fired.

"Guppy [Martin Guptill] the other day came to the fore while the bowlers have chipped in previous games."

For the Proteas, Malan said the impending return of Vernon Philander would make it tough to balance the batting line-up.

"Rilee Rossouw will be making way for specialist bowler Philander so that [JP] Duminy will be batting much higher up the order at maybe No5 from No7 and the sixth bowler," he said, adding the hat-trick hero was more an allrounder than Farhaan Behardien.

Since Jacque Kallis retired the Proteas haven't had the luxury of a batsman to absorb the load of 8-10 overs in the mould of CD pair Doug Bracewell and Kieran Noema-Barnett.

Fans will want a 100-over affair for their money. Oh, and Bracewell returns for CD with Andrew Mathieson rested.