Australia batsman Steve Smith has said that his side will not be short of motivation going into Sunday's fifth and final ODI against South Africa as they look to reclaim the number one spot from World Champions India on the International Cricket Council's ODI rankings.
Australia has already clinched the series against South Africa, but they still have the incentive of top spot on the world one-day rankings. The hosts reeled in South Africa's 267 for eight with a thrilling century from Smith to claim a three-wicket win over the tourists with an over to spare in Melbourne on Friday to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-game series.
While Australia have wrapped up the series, Smith said that the home side won't be short of motivation in Sydney, where another win would ensure that they reclaim the number spot in the ICC ODI rankings, Sport24 reported.
Smith said that it adds a lot, admitting that the Australians pride themselves on that. He said that they try to get to number one in every form of the game.
He said that to win in Sydney would be great and to take that number one mantle back would be outstanding.
Smith added that Australia's one-day form augurs well for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in February, especially given the quality of the opposition. He said that South Africa are a very good line-up, adding that to play the way they have and beat the tourists 3-1 has been very satisfying for them.
Smith said that it's going to be nice playing the World Cup in their own backyard and is hopeful that that form continues going into the tournament.
