All to play for as series heats up
A preview to the fourth one-day international between Australia and South Africa at the SCG
Match facts
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Start time 1.45pm (03.15 GMT)
The Big Picture
Australia must win on their national holiday to keep the five-match series alive following another nerveless chase from South Africa in the third game in Sydney on Friday night. Apart from the 2-1 disadvantage, the most troubling thing for the hosts is that they don't feel safe with any total. South Africa have been stunning during their pursuits of 271 in Melbourne and 269 at the SCG, and the only time they fell short was in the five-run defeat in Hobart.ODI form guide
Australia - LWLWWSouth Africa - WLWWW
Team news
South Africa have suffered a crucial blow with the wicketkeeper Mark Boucher out of the rest of the series with a broken toe caused by a Shaun Tait yorker. AB de Villiers will take the gloves as Boucher hopes to recover for the first Test in South Africa late next month. Jacques Kallis picked up a side strain on Friday and will continue to be monitored; his batting is fine but bowling causes discomfort. South Africa have so far resisted the move to promote Albie Morkel from No. 8, despite him bashing 91 runs from 45 balls in the three matches, but now they might not have a choice.Watch out for ...
Shaun Tait is back playing an international match in front of his home crowd for the first time since December 2007 and will be desperate to impress his supporters. Despite the often lifeless surface, Tait is able to create plenty of problems with his speed and late movement. He has been troubling batsmen during the series without finding the brutal spell that will kick-start his national return.Pitch & conditions
When thinking of Adelaide it's usually all about runs, but in the past three years the highest score has been Sri Lanka's 8 for 274, and there have been three completed innings in the 100s. It will be "dry, hot and sunny", according to the weather bureau, with temperatures of 35C predicted.Stats and trivia
- Australia have lost two of their past four one-day series at home, with the wins coming over Bangladesh and New Zealand
- In 37 ODIs in Adelaide Australia have won 27 and lost 10, while South Africa have been successful on three out of four occasions. This will be the first time the teams have faced each other in a one-dayer at the ground
- Albie Morkel's strike-rate after three games is a Twenty20-esque 202.22
- Makhaya Ntini, Johan Botha and Dale Steyn lead the series wicket list with five each
Quotes
"You do and don't [like the attention], but it's something that comes from being a professional athlete. There are ups and downsides and you've just got to cope with that. At the moment, I'm doing fine."David Warner, Australia's opening batsman
Albie Morkel
Peter English is the Australasia editor of Cricinfo