South Africa have been the dominant team in the series and will be eager to wrap up a 5-0 whitewash against a hapless Sri Lankan unit. For the hosts, Quinton de Kock has been the star, notching up scores of 81, 94, 121 and 51 in the series thus far. The South African unit have also been helped by their pace trio of Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada, who have taken help of the conditions and inflicted damage upon a struggling side.
However, all eyes will be on Imran Tahir as he prepares to bid adieu from international cricket. The player will play his last game at home having already announced his retirement after the World Cup, and the spinner will be eager to end his journey on a high.
Sri Lanka on the other hand look in all sorts of disarray before the World Cup, having lost their last seven ODI encounters. They have further been depleted by the injury to Kusal Perera and with players like Niroshan Dickwella failing to score runs, the problems seem aplenty. Unless they can pull up their game, a 0-5 drubbing looks imminent.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Quinton de Kock (11 credits)
Picking de Kock is a no-brainer. Not only is the Proteas star in dangerous form, he also has the ability of scoring some quickfire runs, which mounts the pressure on the rivals. Quinton de Kock has notched up three fifties and one hundred in four
South Africa have been the dominant team in the series and will be eager to wrap up a 5-0 whitewash against a hapless Sri Lankan unit. For the hosts, Quinton de Kock has been the star, notching up scores of 81, 94, 121 and 51 in the series thus far. The South African unit have also been helped by their pace trio of Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada, who have taken help of the conditions and inflicted damage upon a struggling side.
However, all eyes will be on Imran Tahir as he prepares to bid adieu from international cricket. The player will play his last game at home having already announced his retirement after the World Cup, and the spinner will be eager to end his journey on a high.
Sri Lanka on the other hand look in all sorts of disarray before the World Cup, having lost their last seven ODI encounters. They have further been depleted by the injury to Kusal Perera and with players like Niroshan Dickwella failing to score runs, the problems seem aplenty. Unless they can pull up their game, a 0-5 drubbing looks imminent.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Quinton de Kock (11 credits)
Picking de Kock is a no-brainer. Not only is the Proteas star in dangerous form, he also has the ability of scoring some quickfire runs, which mounts the pressure on the rivals. Quinton de Kock has notched up three fifties and one hundred in four games thus far with a stunning strike-rate of over 113. Even if he fails to get another milestone, in all probability he will get his runs at a fast pace, which makes him a must-have.
Batsman: Faf du Plessis (10.5 credits)
Faf had been in fine ODI form right from the matches against Australia and Pakistan and he has carried his purple patch into the ongoing series as well. With one hundred, one fifty and two starts in the four innings so far, the skipper has been instrumental in holding the innings together along with keeper de Kock. He will be eager to finish the series with another big score under his belt.
All-rounder: JP Duminy (9 credits)
The all-rounder returned to the side after a long injury lay-off in the fourth ODI and did reasonably well, scoring an unbeaten 31 and then picking up a wicket. Duminy has also announced his retirement after the World Cup and will be looking to make his last game in South Africa as memorable as possible. With the pitch at Newlands likely to assist the spinners as the game progresses, Duminy's handy off-break bowling could fetch him some scalps.
Bowler: Anrich Nortje (8 credits)
Yet another pace bowler to have risen the ranks, Nortje has impressed with his pace and nagging line and lengths. With six wickets in three matches already, the bowler has an opportunity to get a few more and seal his spot in the World Cup team.
Captain: Faf du Plessis
Vice-captain: JP Duminy
Predicted Playing XI:
South Africa: Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, JP Duminy, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dale Steyn, Anrich Norje, Tabraiz Shamsi, Imran Tahir
Sri Lanka: Niroshan Dickwella, Upul Tharanga, Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Priyamal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Kasun Rajitha
