South Africa win toss and choose to bat

PERTH: South Africa won the toss and chose to bat in the third and final Test against Australia at the WACA Ground on Friday, with both teams making a number of selection changes.

With the first two Tests drawn, the match will decide the number one ranking in Test cricket, with the Proteas retaining the mantle with a win or a draw. Australia will usurp their position with a victory in the match and series.

South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis proved his fitness despite suffering a hamstring injury in the second Test in Adelaide, and will play purely as a batsman. However, Jacques Rudolph was replaced by 25-year-old debutant Dean Elgar. South Africa also recalled seamer Vernon Philander at the expense of the unlucky Rory Kleinveldt, while Imran Tahir was dropped for fellow spinner Robin Peterson.

In Ricky Ponting's 168th and final Test, Australia made four changes, including replacing all three of their frontline pacemen from Adelaide. James Pattinson is out for the rest of the season with a side injury, while Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus were declared too fatigued to play in Perth. Mitchell Starc, 12th man in the first two Tests, has been promoted. Victorian John Hastings will make his Test debut while Mitchell Johnson, who has 30 wickets in four Tests at his adopted home ground in Perth, plays his first Test since facing the Proteas at the Wanderers last November. Australian vice-captain Shane Watson returns from injury at the expense of Rob Quiney.

Teams:
Australia: David Warner, Ed Cowan, Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey, Michael Clarke (capt), Matthew Wade, Nathan Lyon, John Hastings, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood (12th man).

South Africa: Graeme Smith (capt), Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Faf du Plessis, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Robin Peterson, Jacques Rudolph (12th man).

Umpires: Richard Kettleborough (ENG), Asad Rauf (PAK) TV umpire: Billy Bowden (NZL) Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)