South African batsman Temba Bavumais eyeing to grab the vacant number 4 slot in the national Test team, saying that “he will put up his hand to bat in that position” after AB de Villiers' retirement from International cricket last month.

As per reports in Cricbuzz, Bavuma told reporters at a Proteas training camp in Pretoria, “I'll be opportunistic. There is a role for someone to come in at No. 4 and I'll put up my hand to bat in that position. Hopefully, the selectors are looking towards me.”

Earlier, JP Duminy was South Africa's regular No. 4 during de Villiers' absence in 2016 and 2017 and after his poor form and subsequent retirement from Test cricket, the opportunity has been given to Quinton de Kock before Bavuma was handed the role for the final Test in England last year.

So far, the 28-year-old right-hander has played 29 Tests for Proteas. Bavuma believes that batting higher up will lift up his game to make a greater impact in Tests.

He further explained, “Maybe it is something that could help my game because I haven't been able to convert my starts. Coming in at No. 4, the opportunity will be there to score those big runs, and you have to score big runs actually. With what I am trying to achieve, it could work hand in hand.”

Meanwhile, South Africa is all set to tour Sri Lanka next month for two Tests and Bavuma said that the Proteas “will try to prepare for the worst and hopefully the good comes.”