Aussies, Proteas Fight For Top Spot

Perth: South Africa and Australia will both be forced to call on fringe players when the number one ranking in Test cricket goes on the line in the final Test starting on Friday in Perth.

After a tame draw in the series opener in Brisbane, South Africa's batting heroics in Adelaide, led by a defiant unbeaten century from debutant Faf du Plessis, ensured the second Test also ended all-square despite a tense and dramatic last day.

And it means both sides will tread the WACA ground with the chance to end the series as the top team in Test cricket.

A win for South Africa, or a draw, would see the Proteas retain their position top the rankings, while an Australian victory would put them back in the number one spot they last held more than three years ago.

Complicating matters are several forced changes as the competitive nature of the first two Tests takes a heavy toll, with just a three-day break between matches.

South Africa are likely to be without all-rounder Jacques Kallis, who played a crucial role in saving the Adelaide Test with the bat and exacerbated a hamstring injury. But skipper Graeme Smith is leaving the door open.

All-rounder Ryan McLaren, who played one Test against England in 2010, has been added to the squad as cover.

The tourists are also waiting on the fitness of seamer Vernon Philander, who was a late withdrawal from Adelaide with a sore back.

Spinner Imran Tahir faces the axe after a demoralising outing in Adelaide.

Australia go into the Test without young quick James Pattinson, ruled out for the rest of the summer with a side injury.

Pattinson joined fellow pacer Pat Cummins (back) on the long-term sidelines and there is concern that experienced fast bowlers Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus will struggle in Perth after their final day exertions in Adelaide.

The Australia selectors have added Uncapped pair Josh Hazlewood and John Hastings, who have both represented Australia in limited overs cricket, come in along with forgotten quick Mitchell Johnson, while Mitchell Starc, 12th man in the first two Tests, looks to win promotion.

Left-arm Johnson boasts a superb record at his adopted home ground, with 30 Test wickets at 18.13 in four WACA matches.

Shane Watson is guaranteed to return and Mitchell Johnson is also expected to be included for his first Test in a year. Both Siddle and Hilfenhaus have been left out of the final 12 because of their huge workloads in Adelaide.

Teams from:

Australia: David Warner, Ed Cowan, Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke (captain), Michael Hussey, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Johnson, John Hastings, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood

South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jacques Rudolph, AB de Villiers (wk), Faf du Plessis, Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn, Rory Kleinveldt, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, Robin Peterson, Thami Tsolekile, Jean-Paul Duminy, Vernon Philander, Dean Elgar

Pitch and conditions
WACA pitch is expected to offer plenty of pace and bounce for the fast bowlers, but a little less seam movement than was available for last summer's three-day affair between Australia and India. The weather forecast is for cool temperatures and the odd shower.

Stats and trivia

• A victory for Australia would hand them the ICC's No. 1 ranking in Tests, a position they last held in 2009. South Africa will retain top spot with a draw.
• South Africa have only played two Tests at the WACA, for one win and a draw.
• AB de Villiers is seven runs short of surpassing his coach Gary Kirsten's tally against Australia, his 1134 runs in 10th place on the list of run-scorers in Tests between the two countries.
• Ricky Ponting's Test match average at the WACA - 41.43 - is his lowest among all of Australia's major grounds.
• Ricky Ponting, 37, will play his 168th Test in Perth and tie Steve Waugh as the most capped Australian player and this would be final Test of Ponting.

Match facts
November 30-December 4, 2012
Start time 10:30 local (02:30 GMT)