While the hosts have gone about things in a clinical way all through the arrangement, Australia have been perfect inverse. Their unpracticed knocking down some pins line-up has been no match for the involvement in the restriction camp and Australia's energy pressed batting request too has let the group down two or three times, abandoning them on the very edge of a noteworthy shame. Unless Australia think of something extraordinary, another drubbing is well on the cards.
Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis have been the batting pillars in this arrangement for the home group while whatever remains of them have contributed with valuable commitments. Predictable exhibitions from the batting request have demonstrated their value in gold as did a tornado thump by David Miller to help South Africa pull off a record pursue in the third ODI and secure the arrangement.
What has been much more vital for South Africa's effective run is their knocking down some pins, which has constantly held the resistance batting under wraps and has scarcely let them free, notwithstanding the third ODI. Five South African bowlers have taken four or more wickets in this arrangement, and six of them have economy rates of under six, highlighting how imperative the bowlers have been regardless of batting-accommodating wickets on offer. Another inside and out show is the thing that South Africa will seek after as they hope to decisive victory the arrangement.
Despite having a tried and tested batting line-up, Australia have not been a match for South Africa in the series. Matthew Wade, the Australia wicketkeeper-batsman hit the nail on the head when he said: "We haven't played anywhere near our best. We've got to have a long, hard look in the mirror and find a way to produce our best in the next game. We're not in a position where we can just walk out and play under par and win games of cricket." While they will be desperate to avoid the ignominy of a whitewash and salvage some pride, it may well be only wishful thinking unless there is a drastic improvement in their game as Wade rightly said so.
When: South Africa vs Australia, 5th ODI - 1:30 PM Local (5:00 PM IST)
Where: Newlands, Cape Town
What to expect: Unlike the batting paradises that were on offer in the earlier games, the pitch at Newlands is expected to provide an even contest between bat and ball. The forecast for the match day is clear skies with a high of 17 degree Celsius.
Team News:
South Africa: Kyle Abbott, who played his first game of the series in Port Elizabeth, picked up a four-wicket haul and was named the Man of the Match. However, the 29-year-old as well as Andile Phehlukwayo, the highest wicket-taker of the series, could be rested as the hosts are looking at bringing back spearheads Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada in their bid to clean-sweep the series.
Australia: Usman Khawaja, who hasn't got a game so far, might get a look in.
Did you know:
4-0: The only time Australia failed to win a single match in a five-match bilateral ODI series was against England in 2012. One game of that series was abandoned without a single ball being bowled.
2: The number of dismissals Matthew Wade requires to become the fifth Australian wicketkeeper with 100 dismissals in One Day Internationals.
What they said:
"Coming up to Wednesday, I don't think we will do anything differently. We will stick to what we've done that's won us four games and hopefully make it five and make some history" - Kyle Abbott
"I don't think any game that you lose for Australia is tougher than the next, they all hurt just as much. We wanted to really win the last two games and go home on a high, that hasn't happened" - Matthew Wade
Squads:
Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steven Smith(c), George Bailey, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade (wk), John Hastings, Adam Zampa, Daniel Worrall, Scott Boland, Usman Khawaja, Joe Mennie, Chris Tremain
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Rilee Rossouw, Faf du Plessis(c), Jean-Paul Duminy, David Miller, Farhaan Behardien, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir, Aaron Phangiso, Tabraiz Shamsi, Hashim Amla, Kyle Abbott
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