England eyes series sweep
2008-08-30 18:40
London - England plays South Africa in the fourth one-day international at Lord's on Sunday, hoping to remain unbeaten under new captain Kevin Pietersen.
England leads the five-match series 3-0 after a 126-run win at The Oval on Friday. If it wins both remaining matches, No. 4 England would also displace No. 2 South Africa in the ICC one-day world rankings.
"Winning the series 5-0 is definitely an attainable goal," Pietersen said. "Everyone's fulfilling their potential and the guys are improving with every performance."
South Africa needs to win at Lord's - or at the day-night match at Cardiff on Wednesday - to maintain second place. Australia tops the rankings.
After winning the Test series 2-1, South Africa coach Mickey Arthur has partly blamed the team's inexperienced players for poor one-day performances - including 83 all out against England in the second match at Trent Bridge.
"The best way to rectify that, of course, is to give them more time in the middle," Arthur said.
Injured
More experienced players have also underperformed, notably Jacques Kallis.
Kallis, who was South Africa captain on Friday in the absence of injured Graeme Smith, failed again with the bat at The Oval, scoring just 9.
"I think everyone's position is under serious threat. We need some big performances," Arthur said. "We've not been in such a difficult position for quite a while."
By contrast, England has found impressive form under Pietersen with standout performances from a range of players, including Nottingham spinner Samit Patel who exposed South Africa's vulnerability to slow bowling on Friday with figures of 5-41.
"A big part of our success is that we have been able to put them under huge pressure with both bat and ball," the South African-born Pietersen said.
"But don't discount them. I know South Africans very well. They're a proud and stubborn people. Theyll come right back at us."
Squads:
England: Kevin Pietersen (captain), Ravi Bopara, Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Matt Prior, Owais Shah, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Steve Harmison, Graeme Swann, Chris Tremlett, Samit Patel, Luke Wright.
South Africa: Jacques Kallis (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, AB de Villiers, Justin Ontong, Vernon Philander, Mark Boucher, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Johan Botha, Dale Steyn, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini.
- AP