Proteas Target a Whitewash


By Neo Poho

The Proteas will play England in the 3rd and final ODI on Wednesday afternoon at the Diamond Oval in Kimberly.

Heading into the match leading the 3 match series 2-0, the Proteas will look to win the final ODI in a bid to do a clean sweep over their rivals.

Captain Temba Bavuma will certainly look to emulate the heroics he showcased at the Manguang Oval scoring a brilliant century en route to his 109 runs of just 102 balls.

Bavuma who has heaped praise on interim one day coach Shukri Conrad for validating his vulnerability, has stated that the past couple of months have not been easy however Conrad has helped him throughout the series.

"I am pleased to have worked with Shukri before in South Africa's national academy side, he has helped me cut through all the nonsense that was happening in my head and make sure mentally I am in a good state," Bavuma said.

Along with Bavuma, another player looking to make an impact is paceman Anrich Nortje, Notje who has been in superb form lately has five wickets in the series so far and he will be be looking to claim more wickets in the 3rd ODI in a bid to clinch the man of the series accolade.

Another player who has impressed in the series so far is Aiden Makram, Makram has been good with both the ball and bat, scoring crucial runs at the right time and also picking up wickets at regular intervals.

Markram scored a quick 49 runs of 43 balls in the 2nd ODI after the Proteas were put under pressure losing Quinton de Kock for 31 runs.

Not only was Markram influential with the bat but the right-arm off break bowler also claimed the all important wicket of Harry Brook, his ability to come in the bowling attack has proved to be pivotal for the Proteas especially when the fast bowlers are struggling to get wickets.

With the Proteas already victorious in the series, this means they have extended their winning streak to 33 wins against England who have just won 29 in the head to head clash.

Meanwhile England will be playing to win as captain Jos Buttler has reiterated that they will not allow a whitewash against the Proteas.

Buttler who scored 94 runs in the second ODI has mentioned that the absence of Ben Stokes in the team has proved to have negatively affected the team in this series.

Buttler has also insisted that the numerous changes in the squad is one of the major reasons England has not played to the best of their ability.

The England captain did not hold back insisting that there is ingrained confidence in the side, "that confidence is fantastic to be able to call on, we are disappointed to not be getting the results but we believe that things will eventually get better," Buttler said.

With the bigger picture being the upcoming World Cup, vice captain Moeen Ali has also defended his captain insisting that the team is not worried about the recent form.

"We have not done well in this SA series but that doesn't mean we are down and out, we have experienced players that are used to winning and when they lose they know they have to get back up, we are not panicking as these games are used as preparations for the upcoming World Cup, that I am confident we will be ready for," Ali added.


Fans are expected to be at the stadium early and settle in as the match will start at 13:00 CAT.

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