Australia, Proteas Look to Gain Lead

Canberra: Australia and South Africa head to the Manuka Oval with one all on the series and the other on the World Cup.

Despite the absence of some key players, it promises to be another enthralling contest between two of the most powerful ODI teams in the World.

The Proteas still look a touch rusty in their perfromance. They lost the first ODI and made heavy weather of the target of 155 in the second ODI, which they should really have been won on a canter, yet they’ve managed to scrape through to a win to level the five-match series.

South Africa may consider rotating their main seamers to ascertain how the rest of the pacers fare. The two options at their disposal are Wayne Parnell and Kyle Abbott, they can both expect a game at some point during the tour but it is unlikely to be the third ODI with the series still alive.

Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel did exceptionally well in the second match with the latter recording his career-best performance.

As far as batting is concerned, the Proteas middle-order is yet to get going. The small cameos and innings will have to be converted in to big ones to make a real impact. David Miller, Rilee Rossouw gave a good account of themselves, yet the Proteas batting effort looked like a fragmented one in both matches.

Australia, on the other hand, almost pulled off an impossible defence in the second ODI at Perth. On the back of a spirited bowling effort by Josh Hazlewood who registered career best analysis of 5 for 31

In batting, Shane Watson's return to the side has been slightly subdued with Mitchell Marsh hovering over his shoulder he needs to hit the ground running sooner rather than later or the axe may come down upon him.

Teams from

Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Steven Smith, George Bailey (Capt.), Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Xavier Doherty, Josh Hazlewood, James Faulkner, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson and Pat Cummins

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, Farhaan Behardien, Rilee Rossouw, AB de Villiers (Capt.), David Miller, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, Kyle Abbott, Wayne Parnell, Ryan McLaren and Robin Peterson

Pitch and conditions
The pitch is expected to be good for batting. The highest score made by Australia 7 for 329 against West Indies. The forecast for Wednesday is for a sunny day and a top of 28-30 degree celsius.

Stats and trivia

• The Manuka Oval is hosting just its fourth One-Day International (ODI) match.

Match facts
Wednesday, November 19, 2014 (day/night)
Start time 1420 local (0320 GMT)