Sri Lanka have won the toss and will bat first at Newlands in the fifth and final ODI against the Proteas, writes SIMON LEWIS.

A morale-boosting 5-0 whitewash is within touching distance for the Proteas, and Faf du Plessis and his high-riding Proteas side will be looking to continue their excellent ODI form at Newlands.

The Proteas have only lost five of their 35 ODIs at Newlands, so the Newlands Faithful will be anticipating a winning farewell to Proteas and Cape Cobras stalwart JP Duminy, who will be playing his last ODI at Newlands in this fifth ODI.

Duminy has played nine ODIs at Newlands, scoring 352 runs at an average of 39.11, with a highest score of 73 along with four half-centuries.

Another reason to celebrate will be if inform wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock racks up a Proteas record sixth ODI half-century in a row. De Kock has played five ODIs at Newlands, scoring 173 runs (ave 34.60) with two half-centuries, but his incredible form with the bat makes him a good bet to hit half-century number six.

For Aiden Markram, the match might appear to offer a last chance to impress the selectors, but fans shouldn’t read too much into his performance at Newlands if he fails with the bat, as the selectors will be looking at the bigger picture of their potential along with their track record.

Hopefully, he will display his best ability on what should be a cracking pitch to create an excellent selection headache for the selectors.

Proteas
1) Quinton de Kock
2) Aiden Markram
3) Faf du Plessis (c)
4) Rassie van der Dussen
5) JP Duminy
6) Dwaine Pretorius
7) Andile Phehlukwayo
8) Kagiso Rabada
9) Anrich Nortje
10) Lungi Ngidi
11) Imran Tahir

Sri Lanka
1) Avishka Fernando
2) Upul Tharanga
3) Oshada Fernando
4) Priyamal Perera
5) Kusal Mendis
6) Dhananjay de Silva
7) Thisara Perera
8) Angelo Perera
9) Lasith Malinga (c)
10) Isuru Udana
11) Akila Dananjaya

Photo: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images