Australian captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat first in the six-day Super Series test against the World XI at the Sydney Cricket Ground today.
The World XI took first blood, however, when Steve Harmison clean-bowled opener Justin Langer without scoring in the first over of Australia'sinnings, bringing Ponting to the wicket much sooner than he would have liked.
By 4.10pm NZT, Australia had reached 82 for 2.
South African allrounder Shaun Pollock, captain of the World XI one-day team, was named 12th man for the one-off test.
The decision to omit Pollock leaves the World XI team with a potent batting lineup but only two specialist pace bowlers in English duo Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison.
Australia named their side yesterday with paceman Shane Watson and legspinner Stuart MacGill coming into the side, and Brad Hodge named 12th man.
Conditions are overcast.
* TEAMS:
Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Michael Clarke, Simon Katich, Shane Watson, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, Stuart MacGill. 12th man: Brad Hodge.
World XI: Graeme Smith (captain), Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Brian Lara, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Jacques Kallis, Andrew Flintoff, Mark Boucher, Daniel Vettori, Muttiah Muralitharan, Steve Harmison. 12th man: Shaun Pollock.
