First, let it be said, that never in a million years did we expect to sit down to write this preview with South Africa 2-0 up in a three-Test series against the once-mighty Australia.

As it is, this indeed is the case as Ricky Ponting's beleaguered posse head into the SCG clash with hefty odds stacked against them after preposterously poor showings in Perth and Melbourne. Not to take away from the Proteas' outstanding performances, but the Aussies certainly don't look the outfit they did pre-India.

One fancies a potential Test series loss to Anil-Kumble/Mahendra Dhoni's team was the furthest thing from the world champions' collective mind when they arrived on the sub-continent and now, after a consolation win against the modest Black Caps, they're back to the proverbial drawing board but without enough chalk to kick 2009 off on a high note.

Lamentation and post-mortem wisely left in 2008, the hosts' under-fire commune - Ponting, coach Tim Nielsen and the selection panel - have done well to promptly, albeit temporarily, toss to the periphery their weakest links and blood a new crop ahead of the series finale.

Cranky foot and knee discomfort aside, Brett Lee and Andrew Symonds seemed passengers in the Aussie unit at the WACA and MCG, hopelessly unable to deliver on former glory and hoped-for resurgence. Now, from the pavilion they must watch as Doug Bollinger and Andrew McDonald attempt to pounce on the stalwart duo's decrepit contributions and subsequent sidelining.

Perplexing is the penchant to stick with Matthew Hayden, who has scraped together a mere 313 runs at average a smidgen over 22 in his last eight Tests. Perhaps the reality that no ideal replacement at the top of the knock waits in the wings sees the struggling southpaw keep his place, but rookie Phil Hughes, or Victorian hopeful Chris Rogers must've been somewhat disappointed to have not received a call. Meanwhile, Phil Jaques - soon to be off the mend - steps up as number-one contender to open with Simon Katich in the Ashes should Hayden again fail in Sydney.

Katich, Ponting and Michael Clarke's consistent run and Mike Hussey's guts and determination to bounce back from a shoddy contribution the series thus far accounted for, it's in their bowling attack that the largest potential for failure looms.

Mitchell Johnson - sporting a mere 17 five-dayers - fronts an attack which numbers are made up of Peter Siddle (three Tests), Nathan Hauritz (three), Andrew McDonald (naught) and Bollinger (naught). How things have changed since the days of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne...?

A finger spinner's place in a Test match line-up is questionable at best and an average one at that in Australian conditions even more so, leaving Hauritz with a make-or-break opportunity to chance as Jason Krejza, Beau Casson, Dan Cullen and a handful of other young turners hope for a trip to England later this year.

Over in the South African camp proceedings are fine and dandy indeed. Series victory celebrated, praise gathered from far and wide and their selection questions (more of a blessing than a headache) decided upon, management have put to rest suggestion to toy with a winning formula and blood Vaughn van Jaarsveld and Lonwabo Tsotsobe, while Neil McKenzie gratefully keeps his place - the under-fire batsman's retained berth at the top of the order proving a three-fold correct decision...

No specialist opener is on tour to replace him.
There is no need to mess with a winning formula.
JP Duminy is left at his preferred position in the middle-order.

As Tsotsobe and Monde Zondeki share the drinks-carrying duties, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel get the chance to hammer home the ascendancy they displayed in Melbourne, the latter of the trio in need of one more fiery, successful spell to warrant feeling a valuable part of the Proteas' unit.

Of course, aside from the smug likelihood of sticking it to the Aussies again in whitewashing 'em, the coveted pinnacle of the ICC Test rankings is in the offing, a victory of any nature for Smith's triumphant troops to result in their rise to the top and a pride-slapping drop for Oz.

Regardless of the outcome in Sydney, this series has lived up to expectation in every way. From the see-sawing sway of the Perth opener to the Steyn-led theatrics of would-be all-rounder Steyn in Melbourne, the final clash's preceding outcomes promise more of the same at the SCG, the only question left to ask: who wants it more...?

Key Men

Australia: Now more than ever, Mitchell Johnson is going to need to repeat his 11-wicket heroics from the series opener as he leads the inexperienced attack. Having proved that he is not Lee's second fiddle, the left-arm speedster has a chance to take the likes of Siddle and Bollinger under his wing and nurture them onto the big stage as Lee has done over the past year or so.

South Africa: The steely character that he is Dale Steyn won't want to let up on his ten-for epic at the MCG, sure to get try his fiery best in getting his fill against a brittle Hayden, Hussey and ripe-for-the-picking tail-end.

Last Five Results

2008: Second Test: South Africa won by nine wickets at Melbourne.
2008: First Test: South Africa won by six wickets at Perth.
2006: Third Test: Australia won by two wickets at Johannesburg.
2006: Second Test: Australia won by 112 runs at Durban.
2006: First Test: Australia won by seven wickets at Cape Town.

Prediction

W-H-I-T-E-W-A-S-H, a surge to the top of the ICC Test rankings and series-victory bonuses for all and sundry in the Saffer set-up. Questions over Ponting's post at the helm and selection posers aplenty ahead of the Ashes for the men from Down Under.

Teams

Australia: Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich, Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Andrew McDonald, Brad Haddin (wicketkeeper), Doug Bollinger, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Peter Siddle.

South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Neil McKenzie, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, JP Duminy, AB de Villiers, Mark Boucher (wicketkeeper), Morne Morkel, Paul Harris, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini.

Dates: 3 - 7 January - Morning session: 10:30-12:30 local time (23:30-01:30 GMT), Afternoon session: 13:10-15:10 local time (02:10-04:10 GMT), Evening session: 15:30-17:30 local time (04:30-06:30 GMT)

Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle
Umpires: Billy Bowden and Asoka de Silva

Jonhenry Wilson