Australia win toss and bat in third Test

Australia won the toss and chose to bat in the third Test against England in Perth on Friday with the home team gunning for an unbeatable 3-0 Ashes lead. Australia, who won the first two Tests in the five-match series, named an unchanged line-up with pace bowler Ryan Harris selected despite struggling with a sore knee in the lead-up. The tourists made just one change from the team beaten in the second Test in Adelaide, with seamer Tim Bresnan returning from an injury lay-off at the expense of spinner Monty Panesar. Australian captain Michel Clarke said he was tempted to bowl first, but decided instead to put runs on the board with extreme heat forecast for the entirety of the Test. "It looks like a fantastic wicket," he said. "Today I wasn't that bothered whether we won the toss or not. I think it will be a fantastic wicket throughout the game." England captain Alastair Cook said his team was ready to turn their fortunes around. “We have to go out there and put the balls in the right area," he said. "Everyone is up for the fight." Australia won the first Test in Brisbane by 381 runs and the second Test in Adelaide by 218 runs. Australia - David Warner, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (capt), Steve Smith, George Bailey, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon England - Alastair Cook (capt), Michael Carberry, Joe Root, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Ben Stokes, Matt Prior, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Tim Bresnan Umpires: Marais Erasmus (RSA), Billy Bowden (NZL) TV umpire: Tony Hill (NZL) Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL) Source: AFP