England win toss and elect to bat

LONDON, May 11 (Reuters) England captain Andrew Flintoff won the toss and elected to bat on the opening day of the first test against Sri Lanka at Lord's today.

England left batsman Ian Bell and Jon Lewis out of their squad, giving a first cap to fast bowler Sajid Mahmood.

Sri Lanka opted to open with Jehan Mubarak instead of the out-of-form Michael Vandort.

The pitch was dry with traces of green and the weather warm and sunny.

Teams: England - Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff (captain), Geraint Jones, Liam Plunkett, Matthew Hoggard, Sajid Mahmood, Monty Panesar.

Sri Lanka - Upal Thuranga, Jehan Murbarak, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jaywardene (captain), Thilan Samaraweera, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedera, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Kulasekera, Muttiah Muralitharan.

Umpires: Rudi Koertzen (South Africa), Aleem Dar (Pakistan).

Television umpire: Nigel LLong (correct) (England).

Match referee: Alan Hurst (Australia) REUTERS DH KN1633