It was also no surprise to see Andrew Strauss win the toss and send Australia into bat.
However, Waca groundsman Cameron Sutherland has prepared a green-tinged wicket which could tempt Ponting to bowl first should he win the toss on Thursday morning.
The game finally got under way at 1220 BST, more than two hours behind schedule because of rain, and New Zealand were happy to win the toss and put their opponents in.
Pietersen would have been delighted to win the toss on wicket with a decent covering of grass which he must have thought might offer the seam bowlers some early bounce and movement.
Among the bets traded on Betfair during Test matches are the result itself, who will win the toss and whether he will bat or bowl, and in which session the match will finish.
"If you played four quicks and you win the toss and bat and they don't get a chance to bowl on it until halfway through the second day if you bat well, whatever life that was in the pitch is probably gone, " said Ponting.
"It was a good win, but it was an important toss to win because the wicket got lower and slower as the game went on, " stated Katich.
Bangladesh, needing to win the Test to draw the series, won the toss and set off like a train with opener Tamim Iqbal providing a thrill a minute.
Pakistan captain Younus Khan, buoyant after his side's four-wicket win on Wednesday, won the toss and opted to bat first.
England, who need to win the Test to regain the Ashes, won the first battle of the day when Ricky Ponting called incorrectly at the toss and Strauss chose to have first use of what looked to be a perfect batting wicket.
India's MS Dhoni also became the first captain in Test history to win all four matches in a series despite losing every toss.
One thing not in doubt was the toss and it quickly became apparent that it was a good one for Bangladesh to win in extreme early morning heat.
After heavy overnight rain caused a delayed start it looked a good toss for Durham captain Will Smith to win and so it proved as Onions removed Michael Carberry with the sixth ball of the game.
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