Australia bat, McKenzie in for de Villiers
Ricky Ponting has won the toss and Australia will bat first in the opening one-day international against South Africa at the MCG. Australia could find no place in their starting line-up for the offspinner Nathan Hauritz, who could yet get an opportunity in the next couple of games.
The Australians have gone for a three-man fast-bowling line-up with Shaun Tait named for his first one-day international in 13 months. Michael Hussey was set to open the innings with Shaun Marsh, instead of Michael Clarke and James Hopes, both of whom have performed the role recently.
Clarke was included despite battling a thumb injury during the week. "He's still in a bit of discomfort with his thumb but hopefully he'll get through that," Ponting said at the toss.
South Africa's batting has been dealt a blow with AB de Villiers still not ready to return after his hip was badly bruised by a Tait delivery in the first Twenty20 on Sunday. de Villiers will be assessed in Hobart ahead of Sunday's second ODI but for now his position has been taken by Neil McKenzie.
McKenzie will play his first one-day international for more than five years and while his batting style is not necessarily suited to the format, he will be a valuable sounding board in the field for the inexperienced captain Johan Botha. Vaughn van Jaarsveld will make his ODI debut while another uncapped man, Wayne Parnell, was ruled out after jarring his neck diving for a catch in the Gabba Twenty20 match.
South Africa are aiming to maintain their unbeaten record in ODIs against Australia at the MCG, having won all five contests at the venue between the two sides. Ponting described the pitch as hard and good for batting, while the weather was cool and clear.
Australia 1 Shaun Marsh, 2 Michael Hussey, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Clarke, 5 David Hussey, 6 Brad Haddin (wk), 7 Cameron White, 8 James Hopes, 9 Nathan Bracken, 10 Ben Hilfenhaus, 11 Shaun Tait.
South Africa 1 Herschelle Gibbs, 2 Hashim Amla, 3 Jacques Kallis, 4 JP Duminy, 5 Neil McKenzie, 6 Mark Boucher (wk), 7 Vaughn van Jaarsveld, 8 Albie Morkel, 9 Johan Botha (capt), 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Dale Steyn.
