Australia skipper Steve Smith won the toss and opted to bat against England in the second Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday. 

With Pat Cummins missing out, Steve Smith stepped in Australia skipper. Bowling all-rounder Michael Neser received his baggy green. 

“We are going to have a bat. I think you can control the game if you bat first. Huge honour (to lead Australia again). Feel for Patty for missing this game. Hopefully we can have a good week. He just wished me good luck and said it’s your team go well. Excited for Jhye and Michael Neser,” Smith said at the toss. 

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England benched Jack Leach, adding the firepower of James Anderson and Stuart Broad to the squad. 

“We would have batted first as well. It’s unfortunate circumstances. We fully respect the rest of the squad. We need to play well. Stuart to get that special landmark in an Ashes Test, you don’t need more motivation. Jack Leach misses out. Had to make a brave call and back the seamers to do the job. We need to recognize the phases to do well with the bat and ball,” England captain Joe Root said. 

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England (Playing XI): Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Joe Root(c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler(w), Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith(c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(w), Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Nathan Lyon