Momentum with SA after back-to-back wins, says de Villiers

AB de Villiers thinks the momentum is with South Africa ahead of the fifth and final one-day international of their series against England in Cape Town on Sunday. The Proteas lost the opening two ODIs, but have fought back in impressive fashion to force a decider at Newlands.

Published : Feb 14, 2016 00:52 IST

Chris Morris hit four sixes and three fours in his 38-ball 62 that took South Africa on the doorstep to victory in Johannesburg.
Chris Morris hit four sixes and three fours in his 38-ball 62 that took South Africa on the doorstep to victory in Johannesburg.
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Chris Morris hit four sixes and three fours in his 38-ball 62 that took South Africa on the doorstep to victory in Johannesburg.

AB de Villiers thinks the momentum is with South Africa ahead of the fifth and final one-day international of their series against England in Cape Town on Sunday. The Proteas lost the opening two ODIs, but have fought back in impressive fashion to force a decider at Newlands.

Centuries from Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla earned victory at Centurion, while a thrilling one-wicket victory inspired by Chris Morris' 62 off 38 balls in Johannesburg on Friday levelled the series at 2-2. Not only is the impetus in South Africa's favour, history also is; they have won all four previous ODIs against England at Newlands.

Captain de Villiers admitted it was difficult for the team to pick itself up from the early defeats, but thinks the pressure is now on England to fight back and avoid the loss. "We know what it feels like being 2-0 down. It's a horrible feeling and you don't really know where to go," he said. "You just go out there and fight as much as you can and I guess they're in that boat now."

England's defeat at the Wanderers came despite Joe Root notching his fifth century in the 50-over format since the start of 2015 – form which no other batsman can better.

Captain Eoin Morgan was not overly downcast following Friday's loss, suggesting it does not change the fact they still require a victory to make it four bilateral ODI series unbeaten against South Africa. He was disappointed at England's woeful start, which saw five wickets fall for just 19 runs. It meant they failed to make the most of Root's 109-run knock.

However, Morgan hopes the Yorkshireman can produce another strong showing to help the tourists follow their 2-1 Test series with further glory. "For our hopes in the series, it is probably not that big of a blow. Ultimately, it will come down to that last game – and we're really looking forward to it," Morgan said.

"I said in the last game as well, when he scores hundreds we normally win. Maybe I put a jinx on him – but I want him to score another one."

Stuart Broad will hope to retain his place in the team after having claimed the scalp of Hashim Amla for a duck in his first ODI appearance since the 2015 World Cup.

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