South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 5th ODI preview, likely XIs: Dominant South Africa aim to sweep series

South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 5th ODI preview, likely XIs: Dominant South Africa aim to sweep series

South Africa Sri Lanka 5th ODI Kusal Mendis

The limited-overs leg of Sri Lanka’s tour has been a long one, and fairly, quite dull. South Africa haven’t been challenged at all so far. They’ve absolutely coasted through the ODIs, and boast a 4-0 lead in the five-match series.

When they turn out Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday, 16 March, the home side will have a chance at sweeping the series. Sri Lanka will, at the very least, try and avoid that.

Their captain, Lasith Malinga, was visibly frustrated after their loss at the Centurion, asking his side’s batsmen to “value these opportunities”. The message didn’t seem to get through. In the fourth ODI in Port Elizabeth, Sri Lanka once again floundered, their batsmen managing just 189 runs.

It led to their coach, Chandika Hathurusingha, being recalled home. Reports suggest Steve Rixon will fill in as interim-coach for the T20Is. Whether this makes for any change in fortunes remains to be seen, but given how things have been so far, it’s unlikely.

None of which is very promising for Sri Lanka as far as the World Cup is concerned. The series hasn’t done much for South Africa either in terms of preparation, and for all their dominance in the series, that is what will concern them.

Even so, they will look to give JP Duminy a fine farewell in Newlands. The all-rounder is set to retire from ODIs after the World Cup – the Newlands match will be his last at home – and that could provide an extra edge to South Africa.

Head to head

South Africa have win 24 of their 32 home ODIs against Sri Lanka – that’s a record that’s been improving throughout this series, much like in 2017, and there’s little sign anything will be different in Cape Town.

Venue details

South Africa and Sri Lanka have only ever played two ODIs against each other at Newlands. South Africa won each time. In 2001, they won by 99 runs, and in Sri Lanka’s last tour in 2017, South Africa won by 40 runs.

There are some scattered clouds in Cape Town on Saturday, but no rain is forecast. It’s sunny, in fact, and absolutely fine conditions for the match.

Players to watch

Anrich Nortje (South Africa): Filling the shoes of Dale Steyn is one of the most unenviable tasks in cricket, but the seamer has done a good job so far. He’s picked six wickets at 19.16 at a fine economy of just 5.22. More wickets are promised on Saturday.

Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka): The solid batting package of Mendis is imperative for Sri Lanka to break this rut. He is technically correct, temperamentally sorted, and although there’s not had a big score so far this series, he’s Sri Lanka’s best bet.

Likely XIs 

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis (c), JP Duminy, Rassie van der Dussen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Imran Tahir, Lungi Ngidi, Dale Steyn, Anrich Nortje.

Sri Lanka: Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Oshada Fernando, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Priyamal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Lasith Malinga (c), Lakshan Sandakan, Vishwa Fernando.

Prediction

South Africa to complete the sweep.