Australia win toss and bat in Ashes opener
Brisbane (Australia) (AFP) - Australia won the toss and chose to bat in the first Test against England at the Gabba Thursday as they set out to avoid their fourth straight Ashes series defeat.
England wicketkeeper Matt Prior was cleared to play after passing a fitness test following a calf injury, while Chris Tremlett was named as the third seam bowler.
Australia went in with spinner Nathan Lyon in their XI, with all-rounder James Faulkner named as 12th man with the game set to start under sunny skies.
"The wicket looks fantastic and the weather forecast today is very good," Australia skipper Michael Clarke said.
"The pitch might do a a little bit early on but we are looking to be spending some time in the middle."
England captain Alastair Cook admitted he would have liked to have batted first.
"The first hour here is crucial, you can make some in-roads in there and it tends to be a pretty good wicket for the first few days. As always it's who does it best will give themselves the best opportunities," Cook said.
England batsman Kevin Pietersen will be playing in his 100th Test match, while middle-order batsman George Bailey, 31 will be Australia's oldest debutant in 34 years.
Australia have not lost at Brisbane's Gabba ground since 1988, against a Viv Richards-led West Indies, and England's last win there was under Mike Gatting in 1986.
Michael Clarke's Australian team went down 3-0 just three months ago in England, leaving them in danger of losing four Ashes series in a row for the first time since 1890.
The match started under sunny skies with no rain forecast on the opening day of play.
Teams:
Australia: David Warner, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (capt), Steve Smith, George Bailey, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon.
England: Alastair Cook (capt), Michael Carberry, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Matt Prior, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Chris Tremlett, James Anderson.
Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK), Kumar Dharmasena (SRI)
TV umpire: Marais Erasmus (RSA)
Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)
