Australia vs. South Africa 4th ODI: Date, Live Stream, TV Info, Preview

After a convincing win in Canberra, Australia will be hoping to clinch the five-match series against South Africa with victory in Melbourne on Friday.

History will be against the home side, though, as South Africa have won all six ODI meetings with Australia at the MCG.

Let's see how the teams shape up this time out.

Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground

Date: Friday 21 November 2014

Start time: 2:20 p.m. local (3:20 a.m. GMT)

Weather: Some early morning showers should have cleared up by start time, according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. It will stay dry for the remainder but will be breezy with temperatures reaching a high of 25C.

Live stream/TV info: SuperSport (South Africa), Channel 9 (Australia), Sky Sports (UK), Willow TV (USA and Canada) and Star Sports (India)

Preview

Australia gave their fans a glimpse of a potentially bright future in their convincing win over South Africa in the third ODI in Canberra. Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Kane Richardson, all 25 or under, starred in the home side's 73-run win.

Smith's brutal 73 from 55 balls deservedly won him the man-of-the-match honours and makes his omission from the first ODI even more baffling.

"

AB de Villiers says Steve Smith's energy at the crease in the final stages almost makes him a captain's nightmare #AUSvSA

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 19, 2014"

The rested Mitchell Johnson wasn't missed either. Youngster Josh Hazlewood is being heavily touted for a Test debut this summer and boosted his claim with another solid effort in Canberra. Mitchell Starc looks a different bowler when the ball is swinging and will be a real threat if there's any movement at the MCG.

After a nervy start, Kane Richardson picked up the crucial wicket of AB de Villiers in the third ODI. That should do his confidence the world of good on his next appearance.

After an impressive T20 series, it's likely the selectors will take a closer look at pacy Pat Cummins either in Melbourne or at the SCG on Sunday.

After being blown away by Morne Morkel in the second ODI, Australia's top order responded in style in the capital. Aaron Finch, David Warner, Shane Watson and Mitchell Marsh all look in good touch and will be hoping for more of the same.

To maintain their amazing unbeaten run against Australia at the MCG, AB de Villiers will need more from his opening bowlers.

Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander's combined 20 overs went for 154 in Canberra. South Africa were always chasing the game after a reckless opening burst.

The South African batting looks in better fettle with Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis and De Villiers in good form. Losing wickets at crucial times proved their downfall in the third ODI. If they can cut out the careless dismissals, there's a big total waiting to be scored.

There's surely a case to move De Villiers up from his current batting position of five, too.

Much will once again rest on Amla and De Villiers if the visitors are to tie the series in Melbourne.

Key Players

Australia

With nine wickets at an average of 14.66, Josh Hazlewood has been the pick of the Aussie seamers thus far. Another good performance and the cries for a Test call-up will get even louder.

Aaron Finch scored his first ODI on Australian soil at the MCG last year. A repeat effort on Friday will go a long way toward breaking South Africa's MCG stranglehold.

South Africa

South African fans will be hoping they see the Perth version of Morne Morkel rather than the one on show in Canberra.

The lanky paceman destroyed the Australian batting, taking five for 21 at the WACA. Two for 83 was a rather less impressive return at the Manuka Oval.

If the former is on display in Melbourne, the Proteas will have a real chance of leveling the series.

Squads

Australia: George Bailey (capt), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade (wk), David Warner, Shane Watson
 
South Africa: Rilee Rossouw, Robin Peterson, Kyle Abbott, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), Faf du Plessis, Farhaan Behardien, Ryan McLaren, Morne Morkel, AB de Villiers (capt)