Ponting wins toss, Australia to bat

MELBOURNE, Dec 15 AAP - Australian captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat in the day-night tri-series cricket match against England at the MCG.

Play was to start in hot and sunny conditions with a crowd of up to 70,000 expected.

England gave a debut to young paceman James Anderson, who replaced veteran Andrew Caddick, who has been struggling with a knee injury.

Paul Collingwood was England's 12th man.

Australia retained the same side that won Friday's series opener in Sydney, with Andrew Bichel the 12th man.

Teams:

Australia: Ricky Pointing (capt), Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Damien Martyn, Darren Lehmann, Michael Bevan, Shane Watson, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath.

England: Nasser Hussain (capt), Marcus Trescothick, Nick Knight, Ronnie Irani, Ian Blackwell, Owais Shah, Alec Stewart, Craig White, Gareth Batty, James Anderson, James Kirtley.