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Centurion: Australia will be aiming to win their first one-day international series in South Africa since 2002 when the opening match gets underway at Centurion on Wednesday.
The tourists were pipped 3-2 in each of their two recent five-match series' on Proteas soil in 2006 and 2009.
The first ODI at SuperSport Park may yet prove an indicator of who will win the three-match series, as South Africa claimed victory at the ground in their past two series wins, while the Australians were victorious at Centurion in their 5-1 series win in 2002.
Australia will take two potential debutants into the series, with young quick Patrick Cummins set to become the youngest ODI player from the country after impressing with five wickets in the two Twenty20 matches which opened the tour of South Africa.
Mitchell Marsh came into the 14-man squad to replace injured quick Brett Lee, with the all-rounder on a high after crunching 36 from 21 in his international debut in the second T20 clash on Sunday.
Captain Michael Clarke played in every match of their past two losing series' in South Africa, and he will be keen to atone on his first attempt against the Proteas to win a series as skipper.
Clarke averages 27 in ODIs against South Africa on away soil, something the New South Welshman would be desperate to improve on in his first serious challenge as the Australian leader.
The tourists will be pleased with the return to form of opener Shane Watson, who struck a half-century in the first Twenty20 before sitting out game two with a hip strain, which the all-rounder said would not deny him a spot in the first ODI.
Watson's opening partner David Warner failed to score a run in the two T20s after blasting back-to-back unbeaten centuries for New South Wales at the Champions League Twenty20 in India.
The South Africans will take some confidence from their win in the second T20 at Johannesburg on Sunday, in what was stand-in captain Hashim Amla's first international victory as skipper.
Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher returns to the ODI squad and will appear in his first 50-over match since the Proteas toured the West Indies in May last year.
Paceman Lonwabo Tsotsobe snared two wickets in the T20 win on Sunday in a strong display from the 27-year-old, and he can add to his 39 career wickets in ODIs when the left-armer leads the Proteas' pace attack on Wednesday.
South Africa's major selection doubt surrounds the place of the legspinner Imran Tahir, who excelled during the World Cup. He may take the place of Morne Morkel or Lonwabo Tsotsobe, though rain in the region may encourage the selection of three quicks.
Teams from
South Africa: Hashim Amla (capt), Johan Botha, Jean-Paul Duminy, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Graeme Smith, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Mark Boucher (wk), Jacques Kallis, Imran Tahir, Faf du Plessis, Dale Steyn
Australia: Michael Clarke (capt), Cameron White, Shane Watson, Doug Bollinger, Pat Cummins, Brett Lee, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, James Pattinson, Steven Smith, David Warner, Xavier Doherty, Brad Haddin (wk), Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson
Pitch and conditions
Centurion's surface has generally offered plenty of runs to batsmen, though there is also the possibility of bounce, movement and wickets for bowlers prepared to bend their backs. This may be even truer with a new ball being taken at each end as per the new ICC playing conditions.
Stats & trivia
Match facts
Wednesday, October 19, 2011 (day/night)
Start time 1430 local (1230 GMT)
