Proteas win toss, put Aussies into bat

CENTURION: South Africa won the toss and sent Australia in to bat in the first one-day international at SuperSport Park on Wednesday.

South African captain Hashim Amla said the decision to field was influenced by the weather, with showers predicted during the evening. There were two sharp rain showers before the game but the weather cleared in time for the toss.

Australia were without Shane Watson (hip injury) and Shaun Marsh (shoulder) and included two new caps in all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, 19, and fast bowler Pat Cummins, 18.

Experienced players Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher and Dale Steyn returned to the South African team after missing the Twenty20 series between the two teams, which was shared 1-1.

Wednesday's match was the first of a three-game series.

Teams:
South Africa: Hashim Amla (captain), Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, David Miller, Mark Boucher (wk), Johan Botha, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

Australia: Michael Clarke (captain), Ricky Ponting, David Warner, Mike Hussey, Brad Haddin (wk), Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Johnson, Xavier Doherty, Pat Cummins, Doug Bollinger.

Umpires: Johan Cloete (SA) and Ian Gould (ENG), TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG).
Match referee: Javagal Srinath (IND).