Pak vs Aus 4th ODI - Aamer Expected to Sit Out Again

Perth: Australia will be aiming to after clean sweep in Test another whitewash, but Pakistan will have their pride to play for. Shaun Marsh is hoping for his first major international contribution at his home ground.

With Ryan Harris chipping in with a match-winning spell in the absence of Siddle, a healthy competition is brewing for the remaining 2 slots with Johnson almost certain to walk in after a well deserved break.

Younis Khan's return to the ODI fold, which was seen as the best way forward for the team, has suddenly backfired. His form has been woeful to say the least, and his presence in the field hasn't exactly inspired much confidence either.

With Yousuf wilting under the pressure of captaincy, the team is suddenly lacking the depth which everyone was talking about prior to the start of the series. Mohammad Aamer, who has been their go-to man in the series with the ball, is ruled out in all probability with a groin injury.

Team news

Australia will make at least two changes, with Bollinger and Watson to be rested from the remaining two ODIs. Johnson will take Bollinger's position and James Hopes is the logical replacement for Watson.

Squad (likely): Shaun Marsh, Brad Haddin (wk), Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Cameron White, Michael Hussey, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Ryan Harris, Clint McKay.

Pakistan trying to predict what the Pakistan selectors will do is an unrewarding task.

Squad (likely): Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal (wk), Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf (capt), Umar Akmal, Fawad Alam, Shahid Afridi, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Saeed Ajmal.

Pitch and conditions
The WACA has always carried the tag of being called the fastest wicket in the world but over the years the batsmen seem to have worked out the conditions well, so a number of high scoring encounters have been witnessed in the recent past in both Tests and ODIs. The forecast for Friday is very hot and sunny with a maximum temperature of 37^oC.

Stats and trivia

• Australia have won 54% of their ODIs at the WACA, which is their second-lowest winning percentage of any ground in Australia. Their only worse venue is the Gabba, where they have won 46%
• These 2 teams have played 4 ODIs at Perth, with Pakistan winning on all 4 occasions.
• Australia are enjoying a purple patch and have won 21 of their past 26 ODIs. By contrast, Pakistan have won 11 of their past 26.
• Shahid Afridi is 2 catches away from reaching the landmark of 100 catches in ODIs.

Match facts
Friday, January 29, 2010, day/night
Start time 12:30 local time (0430 GMT)