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What does the coin toss decide before a cricket match?

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Jonny Bairstow of England, wearing a light blue uniform and helmet, batting during the 2019 Cricket World Cup semi-final against Australia, with two Australian fielders behind the stumps. — cricket Jonny Bairstow of England batting during a semifinal match against Australia at the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

Before a cricket match begins, the captain who wins the coin toss is granted the authority to decide whether their own team or the opposing side will take the first innings. This means the winning captain chooses whether their team will start the match as the batting side or the fielding side.1