The series might have been sealed at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, but Australia would not be short of motivation in the 5th ODI, as they will play to reclaim the top-spot in the ODIs the Sydney Cricket Ground today.
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“It adds a lot,” Steve Smith said about the 5th ODI. “We pride ourselves on that. We try to get to No.1 in every form of the game. To win in Sydney would be great and to take that No.1 mantle back would be outstanding.”
The Proteas, meanwhile, would be aiming to end the series on a high but it is not an easy task, seeing the kind of form the hosts are in. Australia can afford to rest Shane Watson and pacer Josh Hazlewood, ahead of the much anticipated series against India.
Despite resting Watson and Hazlewood, the Aussies have a pretty potent pace attack, featuring Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Kane Richardson. Stand-in skipper George Bailey, however, would be eyeing to finish the series with a third successive win.
“South Africa are a very good line-up,” Smith said. “To play the way we have and beat them 3-1, it’s been very satisfying for us. It will be perfect to finish it off with a 4-1 victory and take back that No.1 spot.”
“It’s going to be nice playing the World Cup in our own backyard … hopefully, that (form) continues going into the World Cup,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Proteas are hit by injury concerns ahead of the 5th ODI as skipper AB de Villiers is not 100 per cent fit. De Villiers was in discomfort during his fighting knock in the last game and is uncertain to play the final one-dayer.
“He just fell badly on his rib and I think he took a blow there in one of the games earlier in the series,” South African coach Russell Domingo said. “Maybe just a bit of bad bruising. I think he should be ok (for Sunday).”
Australia (possible): Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steven Smith, George Bailey (c), Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade (wk), James Faulkner, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Kane Richardson and Xavier Doherty.
South Africa (possible): Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), Faf du Plessis (c), Farhaan Behardien, Rilee Rossouw, David Miller, Ryan McLaren, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Kyle Abbott and Morne Morkel.
