Australia opt to bat against India

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Melbourne, Dec 26: Australian captain Michael Clarke won the toss and elected to bat against India in the first Test of the five-match series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here Monday.

India’s two frontline fast bowlers, Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan, have been included in the side and will form the pace attack with Umesh Yadav while off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin got the nod for the spot ahead of left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha.

Australia have included debutat opener Ed Cowan in the side.

Australia: David Warner, Ed Cowan, Shaun Marsh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke (captain), Michael Hussey, Brad Haddin (wicketkeeper), Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Nathan Lyon, Ben Hilfenhaus.

India: Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, V.V.S. Laxman, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain/wicketkeeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav.

IANS