Australia will chase a target for the first time in this series after AB de Villiers won the toss and chose to bat at the MCG. Needing a victory to keep the series alive ahead of the final game in Sydney, South Africa made four changes and most notably dropped the fast bowlers Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander after they struggled in the third match on Wednesday.

Legspinner Imran Tahir was left out after hurting his knee during the third ODI and batsman Rilee Rossouw was also omitted. Kyle Abbott, Wayne Parnell and Robin Peterson were all included for their first appearances of the ODI series, while Ryan McLaren was recalled.

Australia also made four changes from the team that won in Canberra. The leading wicket-taker of the series, Josh Hazlewood, was rested, while Kane Richardson and Xavier Doherty were left out. Allrounder Mitchell Marsh was deemed unavailable as he prepares for his return to Western Australia's Sheffield Shield side this week.

Glenn Maxwell was recalled, along with Nathan Coulter-Nile, while James Faulkner and Pat Cummins were named for their first matches of the series. The game was due to begin in clear, sunny conditions, with Australia searching for a victory to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.

Australia 1 David Warner, 2 Aaron Finch, 3 Shane Watson, 4 Steven Smith, 5 George Bailey (capt), 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 James Faulkner, 9 Pat Cummins, 10 Nathan Coulter-Nile, 11 Mitchell Starc.

South Africa 1 Hashim Amla, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 AB de Villiers (capt), 5 David Miller, 6 Farhaan Behardien, 7 Ryan McLaren, 8 Robin Peterson, 9 Wayne Parnell, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Kyle Abbott.

(Cricinfo)