England [Images] captain Andrew Strauss [Images] won the toss on Wednesday and elected to bat in the first Ashes Test against Australia [Images] on a fine sunny morning.

Spinners Graeme Swann [Images] and Monty Panesar [Images] were both included in the England side while Australia opted to play their only specialist spinner Nathan Hauritz [Images].

Fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus [Images] was a surprise choice to fill the vacancy left by the injured Brett Lee [Images] ahead of Stuart Clark.

England left out reserve batsman Ian Bell [Images] and pace bowler Graham Onions.

The forecast for the first Test match to be staged in Cardiff is for continued fine weather with a chance of showers.

Teams:

England - Alastair Cook [Images], Andrew Strauss (captain), Ravi Bopara [Images], Kevin Pietersen [Images], Paul Collingwood [Images], Matt Prior [Images], Andrew Flintoff [Images], Stuart Broad [Images], Graeme Swann, James Anderson [Images], Monty Panesar.

Australia - Phillip Hughes, Simon Katich [Images], Ricky Ponting [Images] (captain), Michael Clarke [Images], Michael Hussey [Images], Marcus North, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson [Images], Nathan Hauritz, Peter Siddle [Images], Ben Hilfenhaus.

Umpires: Billy Doctrove [Images] (West Indies [Images]) and Aleem Dar (Pakistan).