Team News: Gary Ballance starts ahead of Ravi Bopara

Gary Ballance has been named in the England team for their World Cup opener against Australia at the MCG.

The 25-year-old comes into the fold at the expense of Ravi Bopara, who was expected to start after playing in all of the matches in the Tri-Series against the Baggy Greens and India last month.

However, the Three Lions have opted to pick the Yorkshire batsman and have placed him at number three in the order as James Taylor drops to six.

Australia line up as expected as Mitchell Johnson leads a three-man pace attack with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, while Shane Watson bats at three for George Bailey's men.

England skipper Eoin Morgan won the toss and elected to bowl first at the MCG.

England: Ali, Bell, Ballance, Root, Morgan, Taylor, Buttler, Woakes, Broad, Finn, Anderson

Australia: Warner, Finch, Watson, Smith, Bailey, Maxwell, Marsh, Haddin, Johnson, Starc, Hazlewood

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