England wins toss, bats

SYDNEY, Jan 2 AAP - England captain Nasser Hussain won the toss and elected to bat on the opening day of the fifth Ashes cricket Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground today.

Brad Hogg was named 12th man for Australia while Paul Collingwood was given the job of carrying the England drinks.

Andy Bichel comes into the Australian team for the injured Glenn McGrath.

For England, wicketkeeper Alec Stewart returns from injury and replaces James Foster.

Play is set to get underway in fine, mild conditions.

Teams:

Australia: Steve Waugh (captain), Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Martin Love, Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Stuart MacGill, Andy Bichel, Brad Hogg (12th man).

England: Nasser Hussain (captain), Marcus Trescothick, Michael Vaughan, Mark Butcher, Robert Key, John Crawley, Alec Stewart, Richard Dawson, Andy Caddick, Matthew Hoggard, Steve Harmison, Paul Collingwood (12th man).