19 March,2009 02:52 PM IST | | AFP
Australia won the toss and decided to bat in the third and final Test against South Africa at Newlands Thursday.
It was the sixth successive toss in Tests between the two countries this season won by Australian captain Ricky Ponting. Australia lead the series 2-0 after being beaten 2-1 in a series in Australia.
Australian batsman Marcus North was ruled out by a gastric illness. He was admitted to hospital Wednesday. North was replaced by leg-spinner Bryce McGain, who earned his first Test cap six days short of his 37th birthday.
As expected, South Africa made Wayne Parnell twelfth man. Opening batsman Imraan Khan and all-rounder Albie Morkel were new caps in the team, replacing Neil McKenzie and Morne Morkel.
Teams:
South Africa: Jacques Kallis (captain), Ashwell Prince, Imraan Khan, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Mark Boucher, Albie Morkel, Paul Harris, Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini.
Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Simon Katich, Phil Hughes, Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Andrew McDonald, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Bryce McGain and Ben Hilfenhaus.
Umpires: Asad Rauf (PAK), Steve Bucknor (WIS). TV umpire: Billy Bowden (NZL). Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL).
u00a0
