England choose to bat against New Zealand

NAPIER, New Zealand (Reuters) - England captain Michael Vaughan won the toss and elected to bat on the first day of the third test against New Zealand at McLean Park on Saturday.

New Zealand were forced to make two changes to the side that lost the second test in Wellington by 126 runs with all-rounder Jacob Oram and pace bowler Kyle Mills being ruled out with injury.

Debutants Grant Elliott and teenager Tim Southee were named in their place, while off-spinner Jeetan Patel returned to the side for Wellington team mate Mark Gillespie.

England, who had injury scares with Paul Collingwood (calf) and James Anderson (ankle) needing late fitness checks, were unchanged from the game at the Basin Reserve.

England: Michael Vaughan (captain), Alastair Cook, Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Tim Ambrose, Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom, James Anderson, Monty Panesar.

New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (captain), Jamie How, Matthew Bell, Stephen Fleming, Ross Taylor, Mathew Sinclair, Grant Elliott, Brendon McCullum, Tim Southee, Jeetan Patel, Chris Martin.

(Editing by Miles Evans)