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 [ Images ].

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 [ Images ], Mitchell Johnson [ Images ], Nathan Hauritz, Peter Siddle [ Images ], Ben Hilfenhaus.

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