Proteas gun for top rank at the WACA

South Africa might have won the ODI series against Australia but the number one team spot will still be up for grabs at the WACA.

When the Proteas entered the ODI series without their charismatic skipper Graeme Smith, not one critic gave them a chance against a brilliant Aussie batting-line up. But with what they have done now, tomorrow's game becomes crucial because that will decide which team would take top honours in the ICC cricket rankings.

The South African side though would miss the services of their of top pacers Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn who have been rested after a epic tour, while back from injury Nathan Bracken and Micheal Clarke would further brace the Australian side. The replacement in the Australian side to accomodate these two should be Cameron White and Shaun Tait.

For the South Africans, the rest to the senior pacers would mean that the two left-arm fast men Wayne Parnell and Lonwabo Tsotsobe will be making their ODI debuts after appearing in one of the Twenty20 internationals. Jacques Kallis might also be rested but that would depend upon Van Jaarsveld's fitness.

The Aussies have been given rollicking starts by David Warner and Shaun Marsh and the Kangaroos would be hoping of another good show from the openers. Marsh has been the top scorer of the series from either side picking up 213 runs.

For the Proteas, this would be a new look side but still the way Johan Botha has led the side, writing this team off would be at your own perils.

The track at WACA should be another belter with good and predictable bounce, thereby promising oodles of runs to both sides.

This match is very important considering the return Test and ODI series begins in a month and hence so team would look to give the final advantage to the other.would be very important and neither side would want to give the other one

Teams

Australia: Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Marsh, Shaun Tait, David Warner, Cameron White.

South Africa: Johan Botha, Hashim Amla, Mark Boucher, AB DeVilliers, Jean-Paul Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, Albie Morkel, Morne MOrkel, Makhaya Ntini, Wayne Parnell, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Vaughan Van Jaarsveld, Graeme Smith.