South Africa will look to close out the ODI series against Sri Lanka with a win in the fifth ODI at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
As the series draws to a close, Sri Lanka have momentum to play for when they face South Africa in the fifth ODI on Sunday at the Wanderers. The series has been decided with South Africa leading 3-1, but at least Sri Lanka managed to arrest their woeful form.
It was what their fans had long been waiting for. A combined team effort enabled the Lankan tigers to roar to victory by five wickets in a challenging chase at Kimberley. Sri Lanka will feel much more confident having fought closely in the third match and chasing a daunting 300 in the fourth.
Tillkaratne Dilshan’s welcome return to form will be seen as a sign of change in fortune while Dinesh Chandimal highlighted yet again what an aspiring talent he promises to be. Thissara Perera scored a controlled 69 not-out, studded with five sixes.
Mahela Jayawardene, rumored to be offered the captaincy following this tour, was left out with an injury and could miss out again.
The bowlers will need to put up a better show as Proteas scored runs with consummate ease.
The home side were a tad complacent in the fourth match, having won the series already. However, skipper AB De Villiers will be wary of too much complacency proving costly in the long run as he looks to kick-start a new era in South African cricket history. It could mean that Dale Steyn may return in this game after having been given a break earlier.
Graeme Smith will be pleased at scoring a half-century last game while De Villiers will rue his missed century. The real signs of worry though will come from the bowlers as their fifth bowler combination of Robin Peterson and JP Duminy was taken for runs at will by the Sri Lankan batsmen.
Johannesburg will be hosting the final match where thunderstorms predicted for the afternoon may lead to another rain-shortened encounter. The teams may want to chase rather than set up the targets given this factor associated with the weather.
South Africa will still be favourites but will do well to give up on their bad habit of losing inconsequential matches.
