England win toss and bat against Australia in Melbourne

MELBOURNE, Jan 12 (Reuters) England won the toss and elected to bat in the first match of the tri-series against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today.

England recalled opener Andrew Strauss to replace Ed Joyce in the side which lost Tuesday's Twenty/20 encounter against Ricky Ponting's team in Sydney.

World champions Australia left out Ben Hilfenhaus and Brad Hogg from their 13-man squad with Michael Clarke promoted to number four in the batting order.

Teams: Australia - Ricky Ponting (capt), Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Mike Hussey, Cameron White, Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Bracken, Glenn McGrath England - Michael Vaughan (capt), Andrew Strauss, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff, Paul Collingwood, Paul Nixon, Jamie Dalrymple, Jon Lewis, James Anderson, Monty Panesar.

REUTERS AY SSC1103