South Africa's bowlers came to the fore in the 2nd ODI in Perth, with a career-best five-for from Morne Morkel helping Proteas level the series against Australia in this enthralling one-day international series.
With the World Cup less than three months away, every single ODI is important, and both of these heavyweights will know the importance of coming out on top. A victory in the 3rd ODI in Canberra will be a nice beginning.
Australia have made a few changes to their side after the first two one-dayers at the WACA, with Mitchell Johnson, with the Test series against India in mind, given a rest, while pace bowlers Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have been drafted in. Nathan Lyon has been left out, with Xavier Doherty given another opportunity to stake his claim to be in the final Australia squad for the World Cup.
"We have decided to add two extra pace options to the squad with Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins," chief selector Rod Marsh said in a statement on Cricket Australia's website.
"That also gives us the opportunity to ensure Mitchell Johnson is fresh and well prepared ahead of the first Test against India.
"Pat Cummins impressed in his return to Australian duty in the recent T20 Series and Mitch Starc has been in good form since his return from the UAE.
"We have opted to add Xavier Doherty to the squad as our spinning option. He is a seasoned campaigner in good form and his ODI record speaks for itself.
However, there was no replacement named for Michael Clarke, with Cameron White, tipped to come in for the injured skipper, now wondering if he will be given an opportunity to show he can make it to the team for the World Cup.
The worry for Australia will be their batting, however, with only a nice innings from George Bailey and some lower order power getting them to a good score in the first ODI, while everyone, apart from the ever-improving Mitchell Marsh, struggled with the willow in the 2nd ODI, when the home team were bundled out for 154.
South Africa will also be a little concerned with their own batting, as they lost seven wickets while chasing just 155, with that top order, particularly Hashim Amla and Quinton De Kock, failing to fire again.
The away side have no issues with their bowling, however, and if Morkel continues his wonderful form, with the likes of Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander for company, the Aussie batsmen could be in for another tough time.
Much will, of course, depend on the pitch, and Australia will hope for a similar one when they last played in Canberra, with the batsmen making well in excess of 300.
Where to Watch Live
The 3rd ODI match is scheduled for a 2.20 pm local time (8.50 am IST, 3.20 am GMT, 5.20 am SA time) start with love TV coverage in India on Star Sports. The match can also be watched via live streaming online in India on Starsports.com.
Catch the action in Australia on Channel 9 or via a live stream on Cricket Australia Live. South Africa viewers can catch all the action on SuperSport 2 or via a live stream on SuperSport Live Online. Viewers in the UK can catch the 3rd match on Sky Sports 2. The match can also be watched via live streaming on Watch Sky Sports or Sky Go.
Audience in the USA can live stream the action on Willow TV, while viewers in the Middle East and North Africa can watch the game on OSN or live online on OSN Play.
Expected lineups: Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Steven Smith, George Bailey (capt), Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Xavier Doherty.
South Africa: Quinton De Kock, Hashim Amla, Faf Du Plessis, Rilee Rossouw, AB De Villiers (capt), Farhaan Behardien, David Miller, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir.
