The Proteas won the toss and will bat first in the series decider against Sri Lanka at St George’s Park. KHALID MOHIDIN reports.

The contest has taken an interesting turn. After Sri Lanka handed a shock defeat to the Proteas in Durban, the home side must win to prevent a double whitewash against the visitors, after they lost 2-0 in the subcontinent in July.

The Proteas need to up their game to beat an underestimated side who have suffered three series defeat in a row during a gruelling tour schedule.

The Proteas top-order in particular need to show steel and give their bowling attack some extra cushion by scoring enough runs to allow the bowlers to take greater risks in order to get wickets.

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Vernon Philander was ruled out of the match and the Proteas decided to replace the experienced all-rounder with 21-year-old Wiaan Mulder. Mulder bats in the top five for the Lions, so he will strengthen the Proteas batting lineup.

Sri Lanka has predictably made no changes to their side.

Proteas
1) Dean Elgar
2) Aiden Markram
3) Hashim Amla
4) Faf du Plessis (c)
5) Temba Bavuma
6) Quinton de Kock
7) Wiaan Mulder
8) Kagiso Rabada
9) Keshav Maharaj
10) Dale Steyn
11) Duanne Olivier

Sri Lanka
1) Kusal Perera
2) Dimuth Karunaratne (c)
3) Kusal Mendis
4) Dhananjaya de Silva
5) Niroshan Dickwella
6) Oshada Fernando
7) Lahiru Thirimanne
8) Suranga Lakmal
9) Vishwa Fernando
10) Kasun Rajitha
11) Lasith Embuldeniya

Photo: Isuru Sameera Peiris/Gallo Images