ENGLAND handed Ben Stokes a Test debut at the Adelaide Oval and recalled Monty Panesar for his first Ashes match since 2009.

A dry, drop-in pitch persuaded the tourists their best chance of battling back from a 1-0 series deficit lay in the selection of two spinners.

Panesar was therefore back to partner Graeme Swann, and Stokes was required to balance the team as a third seamer and number six batsman.

England's team sheet also listed Joe Root, rather than Ian Bell, to bat at number three - as expected.

Australia, who named their team on Wednesday, won the toss and unsurprisingly chose to bat first on a showery morning.