Proteas win toss, bat 1st in 4th ODI

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Michael Clarke of Australia and AB de Villiers of South Africa shake hands after the coin toss before game one of the men's one day international series between Australia and South Africa at the WACA on November 14, 2014 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 14: Michael Clarke of Australia and AB de Villiers of South Africa shake hands after the coin toss before game one of the men's one day international series between Australia and South Africa at the WACA on November 14, 2014 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Published Nov 21, 2014

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Melbourne - South Africa captain AB de Villiers has won the toss and elected to bat in the fourth limited-overs international against Australia, chasing a win to save the series.

Australia, leading the five-match series 2-1, batted first in the previous three matches, winning the first and third games in Perth and Canberra.

Mitchell Marsh was released from the Australia squad Friday so he can play for Western Australia in the domestic Sheffield Shield and push for a spot in the Australian team for the upcoming test series against India.

Allrounders James Faulkner and Glenn Maxwell were recalled, along with 21-year-old paceman Pat Cummins and Nathan Coulter-Nile in a reshaped Australian bowling attack.

Imran Tahir did not start for South Africa because of a knee injury sustained in the Canberra match, while Morne Morkel was also left out of the staring XI.

The last match is scheduled for Sunday at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Teams:

Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Steven Smith, George Bailey (captain), Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Mitchell Starc.

South Africa: Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, A.B. de Villiers (captain), David Miller, Farhaan Behardien, Ryan McLaren, Robin Peterson, Wayne Parnell, Dale Steyn, Kyle Abbott.

Umpires: Billy Bowden, New Zealand, and John Ward, Australia.

TV umpire: Nigel Llong, England; Match referee: Javagal Srinath, India.

Series: Australia leads best-of-five series 2-1.

Sapa-AP

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