England win toss and bat first in fourth Ashes test

MELBOURNE, Dec 26 (Reuters) England won the toss and elected to bat first in the fourth Ashes test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today.

Australia, who lead the five-match series 3-0, retained the same team that won the last test in Perth to clinch the Ashes with two games to spare, while England dropped wicketkeeper Geraint Jones for Chris Read.

Reuters MQA VP0610