A decider and a primer
ESPNcricinfo previews the third ODI between South Africa and Australia in Durban
Match facts
South Africa v Australia, October 28, DurbanStart time 1430 (1230 GMT)
Big Picture
South Africa found form and success in Port Elizabeth while Australia slipped to perhaps the team's most abject performance since Michael Clarke replaced Ricky Ponting as captain. The result means the third match at Kingsmead is a series decider, and also a chance for one side or the other to carry useful momentum into the Test series. Both sides will have the benefit of significant reinforcements for the five-day matches, but there will also be those in the ODI teams pressing to be included or retained.Form guide
South Africa: WLLWWAustralia: LWLWL
In the spotlight
Hashim Amla has had a mixed time of it as South Africa's interim captain, and a victory in Durban would allow him to hand a more confident team back to Graeme Smith after the trials of the World Cup and the challenge of returning from a lengthy hiatus. Equally critical for Amla is the fact that he is yet to make a score of note in four innings against Australia on this trip, tallying only 32 runs. Given his pivotal place in the Test batting order, Amla needs to build some confidence of his own against the likes of Mitchell Johnson and Patrick Cummins.Pitch and conditions
Evening rain is forecast for Durban, with the possibility of a thunderstorm, so the players and spectators may be in for another frustrating match of interruptions and delays. The moisture in the air and on the ground may suit the pace bowlers, much as it did during the latter part of the first match in Pretoria. Also, the pitch is expected to have a smattering of grass, further assisting the quicks.Team news
South Africa are unlikely to change the team that won so handsomely in the second ODI, with Imran Tahir's legspin probably to remain hidden from Australia until the first Test. Mark Boucher was hit on the hand during training on Thursday, but is expected to be fine. The team management will fly someone in if he is not, the likeliest option being Thami Tsolekile who is not involved in a first-class at the moment.Stats & trivia
- Australia will retain top spot in the ODI rankings regardless of what happens at Kingsmead. South Africa needed to win the series 3-0 to draw level with the tourists on the ICC table.
- Australia's narrow win over South Africa in Durban in 1997 was due largely to the first significant innings of Adam Gilchrist's international career. Batting at No. 6 and arriving at 50 for 4, Gilchrist smote 77 from 88 deliveries to give the tourists a target they defended grandly.
Quotes
"We enjoy playing here, these conditions are similar some of the pitches that we are brought up on in Australia, with the pace and bounce, and we can play our shots freely ."Australia batsman Michael Hussey says his team-mates are enjoying familiar conditions
Australia captain Michael Clarke doesn't mince his words
Stand-in South Africa captain Hashim Amla plays down the importance of the decider
Daniel Brettig is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo