Aus vs WI 3rd ODI - Aussies Looks Another Series Victory

Sydney: After beat India in Indian ground and clean sweep against Pakistan, Australia looks another series victory with their rotation policy, Brad Haddin and Shane Watson have been rested for 2 ODIs.

West Indies skipper Chris Gayle has admitted for the first time he is feeling immense pressure to perform with the bat to ensure the one-day series with Australia does not continue its embarrassing decline.

The Windies are 2-0 down in the best-of-five series following massive losses in Perth and Adelaide – Gayle out cheaply in both matches for seven and nought respectively.

There is now damning evidence suggesting if Gayle doesn't fire at the top of the order, games are as good as over as the disciplined Australian bowling attack goes about dismantling the rest of the batting line-up.

It's the closest thing to a one-man team you are going to get in international cricket and Gayle was not backing away from the problem ahead of Friday's third one-dayer at the SCG.

Team news

Australia: The wicketkeeper Tim Paine and Adam Voges come into the squad for Shane Watson and Brad Haddin, who are resting. Paine has opened in 14 of his 15 ODIs and will slot in with Shaun Marsh at the top.

Squad (likely): Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Cameron White, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Nathan Hauritz, Clint McKay, Doug Bollinger.

West Indies: Gayle has talked about needing some substance in the middle order, which could give Brendan Nash an opening, while Wavell Hinds is another option, possibly for the struggling Runako Morton.

Squad (likely): Chris Gayle (capt), Wavell Hinds, Travis Dowlin, Narsingh Deonarine, Brendan Nash, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Smith, Nikita Miller, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach.

Pitch and conditions
Australia have posted their highest ODI total at home on this venue, hitting 368/5 against Sri Lanka in 2006. Pakistan chose to bowl first at the SCG last month and were rolled for 127 in their chase as the bowlers took advantage of seaming conditions. There are storms predicted for Friday afternoon, along with a maximum of 31C. If that happens the bowlers will be happy again.

Stats and trivia

West Indies' top six batsmen have scored 150 runs in the past two games while Australia's top four have managed 310
Only one game at the SCG has been won by the batting side from the final ball of the 50th over. That came in 1995-96 when Michael Bevan starred against West Indies
West Indies have twice scored fewer than 100 at the Sydney, with 87 in 1992-93 and 91 in 2000-01

Match facts
Friday, February 12, 2010
Start time 13:25 local (03:25 GMT)

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs Pakistan - 3rd ODI 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining) 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs

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