Batsman Aaron Finch says Australia squad fighting for World Cup berths has helped team perform better

Australia's top order batsman Aaron Finch is of the opinion that fierce competition for World Cup berths is helping their side, as they look forward to completing a series win over South Africa in Melbourne on Friday.

Finch blasted his fifth ODI century on Wednesday, piloting Australia to a 73-run victory over South Africa in Canberra, which gave the hosts a 2-1 lead in the five-game series, but also raised further questions about the make-up of their first-choice XI for the World Cup.

Steve Smith, left on the sidelines in last week's series opener, was man of the match, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Glenn Maxwell was omitted, while left-armer Mitchell Starc excelled in the absence of Mitchell Johnson and Nathan Coulter-Nile.

Finch said that it's a real positive when one has guys challenging for spots, because it's driving one to perform well. He added that if a player doesn't perform, they are sitting on the pine.

He claimed that nobody is safe in the side except the skipper George Bailey, and added that when one has got that kind of competition in the side, it's really quality.

Despite coveted places in Australia's squad for the ODI tournament being up for grabs, Finch suggested that there wasn't a service of selfish cricket to be seen.

Finch said that the guys are still helping each other out, adding that there's none of this that players are trying to look after their own spot. He said that it's about helping the team win games of cricket.