South Africa have won the toss and elected to bat, meaning Australian debutant John Hastings will get an early taste of bowling on the WACA wicket in the series-deciding third Test in Perth.
Hastings has been selected to make his Test debut for Australia in what is Ricky Ponting’s farewell international match.
South Africa have decided to take a punt on Jacques Kallis and his hamstring injury, selecting him in their team as a batsman for the match which will decide the No.1 Test ranking.
Proteas captain Graeme Smith has chosen batsman Dean Elgar for his Test debut in place of Jacques Rudolph, while spinner Robin Petersen replaces Imran Tahir.
Australia captain Michael Clarke has stuck with spinner Nathan Lyon, meaning young NSW quick Josh Hazlewood has missed out on getting his first Baggy Green.
NSW-born Hastings joins Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson in a new-look attack for Australia.
Starc hasn’t played a Test since the West Indies tour earlier this year, while Johnson is back in Test cricket for the first time in more than 12 months.
Johnson has had a career of significant highs and lows and will be looking to impress at his home ground the WACA where he has usually performed well.
There is massive pressure on the Australian quicks to immediately step up to the mark, with front-liners Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus left out after bowling themselves to a standstill in Adelaide.
Allrounder Shane Watson is back for Australia and is expected to help out with the pace bowling.
The Proteas were expected to play four seamers in Perth, but rookie Rory Kleinveldt has been left out.
Vernon Philander is back from injury and will join Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn in the attack.
There was talk during the week that Australia would also go with an all-pace attack, but Clarke stuck with Lyon upon observing the wicket.
Australia will be looking to send retiring former skipper Ricky Ponting out a winner, as he equals Steve Waugh’s record of most Tests for Australia (168).
Australia: Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson (vc), David Warner, Ed Cowan, Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey, Matt Wade, John Hastings, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon.
South Africa: Graeme Smith (capt), Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Jacques Kallis, Dean Elgar, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Robin Petersen, Morne Morkel
