South Africa look to finish it off

South Africa deservedly took a 2-1 lead over Australia in the one-day international series on Thursday and will now look to wrap up the series at the first time of asking by winning the fourth match, to be played on Monday.

It was interesting to see Australia fall short in the third game when chasing 290 for victory and I just get the sense that their commitment may be on the wane.

If that is so, then Monday's match should be South Africa's for the taking, something that bet365 appear to agree with because they make the home side 8/11 to win it, while the Aussies are even money.

The betting for top batsman is pretty similar to what it has been throughout the series, with Graeme Smith topping the list for South Africa at 3/1. The skipper is followed by Herschelle Gibbs is 4/1 and Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis are 4/1. AB de Villiers is 9/2 and JP Duminy is 6/1.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting is 10/3 favourite to top-score for his side, with Brad Haddin and Michael Clarke next at 4/1. The Hussey brothers, David and Michael, are next at 5/1, while messrs Ferguson and North are 6/1 and 13/2 respectively.

I think this one is all about motivation and they would not be human if Australia did not have one eye on their departure, so South Africa should be backed at 8/11.