Cricket: Steve Waugh's side in must-win situation

Australia, back on the bottom of the one day series table after a disastrous weekend, will begin a last ditch bid for the finals when it takes on competition leaders New Zealand in Melbourne today.

The hosts' batting was again appalling in its loss to the Black Caps at the weekend, a loss compounded by South Africa's victory over the Kiwis the following day.

That victory, which also yielded the Proteas a bonus point, allowed South Africa to leapfrog Australia.

The Australians have made two changes, bringing in Brett Lee and Ian Harvey for Jason Gillespie and Andy Symonds.