Daijiworld Media Network

Kimberley, Jan 20: Welcome to the 4th ODI between South Africa and Sri Lanka from Kimberley. South Africa have already clinched the series and they will want to dominate the remaining two matches and end their summer on a high. Nothing has gone right for Sri Lanka after their historic Test win at Durban. The batting has lacked consistency while the bowlers have struggled to achieve penetration. Sri Lanka will want to register a win today and boost their morale ahead of their ODI tour to Australia. Stay tuned for the toss and the team updates.

South Africa have won the toss and elected to bat

Dilshan: I would have also batted first. I am just telling the guys to be confident. We have played good cricket but some things have not gone our way. We have three changes. Prasad is out and Thissara Perera comes in. Mahela Jayawardene is injured and Kosala Kulasekara are out. It is time for the youngsters to step in and perform.

AB de Villiers: I was a little bit confused whether to bat first. It looks like a good wicket to bat on and we want to put pressure on SL. I am enjoying my captaincy. Albie Morkel and Dale Steyn are resting and Philander and Parnell are coming in.

Pitch Report: There is a breeze blowing around. Boeta Dippenaar reckons that this is a boundary hitting ground. The side batting second has won 80% of the matches at Kimberly. There is a threat of rain later on. The wicket will be on the slower side. There is a bit more grass and the ball will carry a bit better. There will also be a bit more pace on this ball. Anything in the vicinity of 250 is a good score on this wicket.

Mathews: I thought we had a great chance to win the previous match. Unfortunately, rain spoiled our party. We understand the disappointment of the people but it has been a tough six months for the team. We are trying our best but we have not been able to win any series. If we win the remaining matches, we will be very happy. Mahela's injury is a blow as he is a world-class player. Playing in South Africa is tough and we have not played good cricket. We will go out and play good cricket in this match.

Parnell: It is great to come back into the team. I was just coming back from injury and I am working on my fitness. In ODI cricket, the team has identified certain aspects and I fit into one of those aspects. Dale is the No.1 bowler and I am here to play my role and give the best for South Africa. I am working hard on my batting and I must thank the Warriors for promoting me up the order. Our goal is to win this series 5-0.
Teams:

South Africa (Playing XI): Graeme Smith, Alviro Petersen, Colin Ingram, AB de Villiers(w/c), Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Robin Peterson, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Wayne Parnell

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Tillakaratne Dilshan(c), Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara(w), Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Thissara Perera, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Sachithra Senanayake