India win toss and bat first in crunch test

LONDON, Aug 9 (Reuters) India won the toss and elected to bat first in the third and decisive test match in sunny conditions against England at The Oval today.

Both sides named the same team for the third straight match, for a game that India need only to avoid defeat to claim their first test series in England for 21 years after winning in Nottingham by seven wickets. The first test was drawn.

England have not lost a test series at home since 2001 when Steve Waugh's Australians triumphed.

REUTERS BJR KN1535