Lanka seeks more wins before Champions Trophy

DAMBULLA: Despite controlling the five-match one-day series 3-0, Sri Lanka hopes to continue its winning sequence in the fourth match against South Africa on Saturday and carry the confidence into the ICC Champions Trophy next month.

"This is another international match, a victory would be vital to maintain the players' morale," Sri Lankan seam bowler Chaminda Vaas said on Friday after practicing for the Saturday's match.

"We have been performing well in the past few months and the players have a lot of confidence in themselves. If we continue this, I am sure we can achieve a lot in the Champions Trophy," Vaas said.

Sri Lanka has won 14 of the 15 one-day matches played since February and won their first-ever Test series against South Africa earlier this month.

The 12-nation Champions Trophy will be held in England from September 10 to 26. The tournament held every two years, is the second largest cricketing event after the World Cup.

Sri Lanka hosted the last tournament in 2002 and shared the trophy with India after rain washed out the final.

The South Africans, meanwhile, are hoping for a turnaround in their fortunes with a win on Saturday.

"It is important to get a win under our belts and build up a better momentum," said South African skipper Greame Smith.

"It's been a hard tour and we've got an opportunity in the next two games to go and win.