Australia seek to qualify on their own terms
Stung by their defeat to Zimbabwe, Australia will need to beat South Africa in order to ensure qualification for the final remains in their own hands
Match facts
Tuesday, September 2, 2014Start time 0930 local (0730GMT)
Big Picture
This was supposed to be a dress rehearsal for the final but it has become an almost must-win match for an Australian side that has been pushed off its No.1 ODI perch. Australia's defeat to Zimbabwe saw on Sunday them tumble dramatically from first to fourth on the rankings. More pressingly for them it meant that unless they beat South Africa in the fifth match of the triangular, their fate regarding the final will not be in their hands.Form guide
(last five completed games most recent first)Australia LLWWL South Africa WWWWW
In the spotlight
South Africa's batsmen stole the spotlight in their first match against Australia, which may have left the likes of Dale Steynfeeling a little left out. Steyn enjoys performing for the gallery as much as the stroke-makers and will be itching to leave his mark on the tournament, especially after being rested for the three ODIs against Zimbabwe which preceded it. So far, Steyn has claimed four scalps at 22.50 and his economy is 4.86 runs to the over and he will be keen to crank it up the way Mitchell Starc did against Zimbabwe and add to his wicket tally.Team news
With Michael Clarke out of the tournament, the captaincy will go back to George Bailey. Mitchell Marsh had success in the No.3 position earlier in the series so will return there with space created lower down for Steve Smith, especially after he received a glowing recommendation from Clarke for his ability to play spin. Mitchell Johnson should make his return to the XI which will leave two spaces for the other two bowling all-rounders.Pitch and conditions
The surface used for the third match between Australia and Zimbabwe on Sunday was the first time Harare groundstaff re-used a strip in the tournament and all the signs of wear were evident. Run-scoring was slow and there was significant turn which suggests totals will become lower and spinners will have more of a role to play as the final looms. A different pitch will be used for this game but it may also be suffering some fatigue.Stats and trivia
- South Africa's successful chase of 328 against Australia last week was their 20th win batting second against Australia. They have lost 27 times while chasing against Australia and defended successfully against them 17 out of 33 times.
- Australia's defeat to Zimbabwe on Sunday means that both Australia and South Africa have now lost to Zimbabwe twice in their ODI histories.
Quotes
"It was a case of making sure we gave everyone enough game time. It shouldn't matter what side we put out against Zimbabwe, but it did, and we didn't play well enough."Darren Lehmann defends the exclusion of Steven Smith from the team during their defeat against Zimbabwe
South Africa' second specialist spinner Aaron Phangiso is not looking at this competition as a World Cup audition
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent