England win toss elect to bat in Ashes opener

NOTTINGHAM: England captain A.Cook has won the toss and decided to bat in the first test of the 2013 Ashes at Trent Bridge.

Australian captain M.Clarke said that he would have batted as well on winning the toss but was comfortable with the outcome as the conditions were over cast.

England picked Steven Finn as their third fast bowler ahead of Tim Bresnan and Graham Onions.

Australia opted to play leg-spinning all-rounder Steve Smith at number six and awarded a first cap to 19-year-old left-arm spinner Ashton Agar.

Teams:
England: AN Cook*, JM Anderson, JM Bairstow, IR Bell, SCJ Broad, ST Finn, KP Pietersen, MJ Prior†, JE Root, GP Swann, IJL Trott

Australia: MJ Clarke*, BJ Haddin†, AC Agar, EJM Cowan, PJ Hughes, JL Pattinson, CJL Rogers, PM Siddle, SPD Smith, MA Starc, SR Watson