16 January, 2009

Australia players rejoice after a wicket Australian captain Ricky Ponting has won the toss and elected to bat in the opening Commonwealth Bank Series one-day international against South Africa at the MCG.

In a blow for the Proteas, star batsman AB de Villiers was unable to recover in time for the match after receiving a nasty blow on his hip from a Shaun Tait thunderbolt during Sunday's Twenty20 international in Melbourne.

South Africa has decided to go into the match without veteran paceman Makhaya Ntini.


For the hosts, Michael Clarke has been confirmed to take his place in the starting XI after proving his troublesome thumb is up to the task.

Mike Hussey has been promoted up the order to open the batting with fellow Western Australian Shaun Marsh.

Australia has never beaten South Africa at the MCG in five attempts.

Australian line-up: Ricky Ponting (c), Shaun Marsh, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Cameron White, Brad Haddin (wk), James Hopes, Nathan Bracken, Ben Hilfenhaus, Shaun Tait.

South Africa: Johan Botha (c), Herschelle Gibbs, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, JP Duminy, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Mark Boucher (wk), Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn.