Sydney, Jan 29 : Australian pacer Shaun Tait and all-rounder Cameron White have been dropped to make way for Michael Clarke and Nathan Bracken for the fifth one-dayer against South Africa at the WACA Ground on Friday.

South Africa lead the series 3-1 and will jump to No. 1 in the one-day rankings if they defeat Australia in Perth.

Clarke has missed Australia's past three matches with an injured thumb, while Bracken did not play in Monday''s game in Adelaide because of a calf injury.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting said Clarke and Bracken's presence would be a big boost for the side, while defending the performances of Tait and White.

"Both Tait and White are unlucky not to be playing. I think White did a good job with the bat down in Adelaide last week and I thought Taity's bowling at different times was terrific as well," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Ponting, as saying on Thursday.

"But obviously with Bracken and Michael Clarke coming in, two of our more experienced and better players, we had to make room for them somewhere," he added.

Tait spent time off the field during Australia's eight-wicket loss to South Africa in Adelaide on Monday, but Ponting said it was nothing more than a case of cramp, rather than more hamstring problems.

Australian team: Ricky Ponting (capt), Shaun Marsh, David Warner, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Brad Haddin, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Bracken, Ben Hilfenhaus. (ANI)