South Africa win toss, elect to field

PORT ELIZABETH, Mar 5 (Reuters) South Africa won the toss and chose to field in the third one-day international against Australia in Port Elizabeth today.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting will play his first match of the series after recovering from an abdominal strain.

Ponting replaced Phil Jaques in the only change to the Australian team that was beaten by 196 runs in Cape Town on Friday.

South Africa rested fast bowler Andre Nel, who was replaced by Roger Telemachus.

South Africa lead the five-match series 2-0.

Teams: South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Boeta Dippenaar, AB de Villiers, Herschelle Gibbs, Justin Kemp, Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher, Robin Peterson, Andrew Hall, Roger Telemachus, Makhaya Ntini.

Australia: Adam Gilchrist, Simon Katich, Ricky Ponting (captain), Damien Martyn, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Shane Watson, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Nathan Bracken.

REUTERS PDS PC1335