Australia captain Michael Clarke has won the toss and chosen to bowl first in overcast conditions in the fourth Ashes Test against England at the MCG.
Australia lead the five-match series 3-0 and have named an unchanged side.
England have included Monty Panesar for retired spinner Graeme Swann and Jonny Bairstow has replaced out-of-form wicketkeeper Matt Prior.
Australia are unchanged, making it four Tests in a row they have had the same line-up.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this. We’re going to have a bowl first,” Clarke said.
“There’s enough moisture and grass on the wicket.
“I think what’s made my mind up is more the overhead conditions.
“Our bowlers and certainly keen to have a crack first up.
“There’s going to be enough there but I think it’s going to be quite slow so we’re going to have to execute well this morning.”
A top of 29 degrees is forecast with one or two clearing showers.
Former Australia captain Mark Taylor told the Nine Network he felt one of the reasons Australia chose to bowl was the lack of experienced players in the side following the loss of Swann and the axing of Prior.
The home side have retained 34-year-old quick Ryan Harris despite an ongoing knee problem.
Pace trio Harris, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Johnson have taken a combined 46 wickets in the first three Tests.
Bairstow, 24, will play his 13th Test for England and first since August.
Panesar, who was part of twin-spin attack with Swann in the second Test in Adelaide, returns for his 50th match.
Australia pair Shane Watson and home-town hero Peter Siddle will also play their 50th Tests.
England captain Alastair Cook will open the batting and is bracing himself or a tough first hour of play.
“It will do a little bit in the first session, like most Test wickets do,” he said.
“It’s important we get through that.”
He said dumping vice-captain Prior was a difficult decision.
“We feel a little bit of time out of the firing line will do Matty good,” Cook said.
Teams:
Australia: Michael Clarke (capt), David Warner, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Steve Smith, George Bailey, Brad Haddin, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon.
England: Alastair Cook (capt), Michael Carberry, Joe Root, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Monty Panesar.
