England win toss, bowl in fourth Ashes Test

England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bowl in the fourth test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

The hosts lead the five-test series 3-0 after back-to-back eight-wicket wins in Perth and Brisbane and an 82-run victory at Adelaide saw them retain the Ashes.

"Nice coverage of grass. We got the toss we wanted and now it is up to us to execute our plans," said Stokes on a chilly and overcast morning.

With England pace spearhead Jofra Archer ruled out of the series with a side strain, Gus Atkinson returns.

In the only other change, Jacob Bethell comes in for the under-performing Ollie Pope at No 3.

Australia skipper Steve Smith is back after missing Adelaide with vertigo symptoms, captaining the side again with Pat Cummins rested.

Australia opted for an all-pace attack with Michael Neser and Jhye Richardson called up alongside Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland in the absence of Cummins and injured spinner Nathan Lyon.

It is Richardson's first test in four years after three shoulder surgeries and Neser's maiden one with a red ball.

"I would have bowled," said Smith. "Does look like it could do a bit, so the batters will need to be on their game."

Australia: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (capt), Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, (capt), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue

Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena (SRI), Chris Gaffaney (NZL)

TV Umpire: Ahsan Raza (PAK)

Match Referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)