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The final match of an exciting Sunfoil ODI series will take place on Sunday at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg. Sri Lanka, who rose from the ashes like a phoenix to clinch the penultimate ODI by 5 wickets, will be harbouring hopes of ending their African safari on a winning note. Sri Lanka's steady progress in each game promises a fair contest, despite the dead-rubber status. Meanwhile, South Africa will have to review their team composition and be wary of the ferocious Lankan Lions.

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South Africa:

Although the Proteas got off to a rosy start they were unable to maintain their intensity in the latter part of the innings. Their late batting stumble on a flat turf lost them the game. To add to the woes, their fielding was utterly insipid. You normally don't associate South Africa with dropped catches and missed run-outs. But that was the case at the De Beers Diamond Oval.

The South African's sorely missed their equivalent to Thisara Perera, the hard-hitting Albie Morkel. It is fairly certain that Albie Morkel will return to the team after the Kimberley shocker. The services of Dale Steyn, Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis were also missed as the likes of Colin Ingram and Vernon Philander failed to step up to the challenge. It appears that one of the pacers will be forced to carry drinks to draft Super Steyn back into the team. Accommodating the canny Johan Botha in Robin Petersen's place does not seem to be a bad option, especially considering the fact that Botha is a force to reckon with in the death overs.

With the axe hovering over Smith's head, the opening batsman made a welcome return to form to hit back at his critics. He will have to shoulder the extra burden and anchor the innings so that AB de Villiers, JP Duminy and Faf du Plessis can play their shots. With the exception of Lonwabo Tsotsobe, none of the Protean bowlers have been consistent. South Africa will have to plug the loopholes quickly to make it 4-1 on Sunday.

Sri Lanka:

After three consecutive defeats, the touring party brought their A-Game to the table to stun the Proteas line up under lights in their penultimate assignment of the tour. Once the Lankans pegged South Africa back to 299-7 with the help of late strikes, they controlled the game till the finish. Man of the Match, Thisara Perera sealed the match with a volley of sixes to restore a bit of pride and honor.

He took the game by the scruff of its neck and extinguished South Africa's dominant aura. Bumping Perera up the order paid rich dividends for the World Number 4 team. Dilshan, who rubbished rumors of his captaincy lease not being renewed broke his run-drought and slammed a run-a-ball 87 to set up the platform for the win.

Sri Lanka's top 4 are in good form and this augurs well for the Lankan think-tank. Dinesh Chandimal showed exceptional composure in the middle overs after the departure of Dilshan. Sangakkara will be looking to convert his 30s into big ones. The youngsters have shown maturity beyond their years to take Sri Lankan cricket forward.

The all-rounders, Thisara Perera, Angelo Mathews and Nuwan Kulasekara present Dilshan with many options. Senanayake will have to shake off his stage fright and forge a formidable partnership with Herath to manipulate the middle overs. Moreover, much will hinge on the performance of Lasith Malinga, widely regarded as the most destructive ODI bowler on the planet. Sri Lanka will quite possibly approach the game with an unchanged XI.

Form Guide:

South Africa: ( L W W)

20th January 2012- vs Sri Lanka-lost by 5 wickets.
17th January 2012- vs Sri Lanka- won by 4 runs(D/L method).
14th January 2012- vs Sri Lanka- won by 5 wickets.

Sri Lanka: ( W L L)

20th January 2012- vs South Africa- won by 5 wickets.
17th January 2012- vs South Africa- lost by 4 runs(D/L method).
14th January 2012- vs South Africa- lost by 5 wickets.

Likely Starting XI:

South Africa: G Smith, A Petersen, C Ingram, AB de Villiers(captain&keeper), JP Duminy, F Du Plessis, A Morkel, J Botha/ R Petersen, L Tsotsobe, W Parnell/ D Steyn, M Morkel.

Sri Lanka: T Dilshan(captain), U Tharanga, K Sangakkara(keeper), D Chandimal, L Thirumane, A Mathews, N Kulasekara, T Perera, L Malinga, R Herath, S Senanayake.

Key Players:

G Smith: The former skipper began his innings at Kimberly with a rope around his neck but escaped the noose with an attacking 68, his effort aided by 7 fours and a six. If the bullish Smith continues to bat with the same freedom then Sri Lanka could bid farewell to their chances of overcoming the hosts at the Bullring.

T Perera: The Lankan ODI specialist showed steely nerves to get the guests past the finish line in the pulsating 4th ODI. As his Captain Dilshan said even Thisara Perera's mis-hits can clear the boundaries easily. He his also a handy bowler with a reputation of being a partnership breaker.

Ground Conditions: The wicket at the Wanderers stadium is expected to be full of runs. In fact, the Bullring was the scene of the most extraordinary match in limited overs cricket history when the Proteas successfully chased down Australia's world record total of 434-4.

Prediction: The gutsy Sri Lankans will be roaring to upstage the top dogs and sign off on a high with a victory at Johannesburg.

File Photograph Copyright: ICC World T20