Sydney: Australia captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat first in the Twenty20 cricket international against England at Sydney Cricket Ground here Tuesday.

Australia went into the match without pace duo Brett Lee, suffering from a chest infection, and Mitchell Johnson, with minor abdominal strain.

They were replaced in the squad by all-rounder James Hopes and quick Shane Harwood. Hopes was named 12th man for the match.

England recalled Michael Vaughan from a knee injury for his first clash with Australia on the tour.

Skipper Vaughan will be keen to instil some confidence in the camp after the Andrew Flintoff-led England was beaten 5-0 in the Ashes Test series which ended last week.