Morgan Batters Aussies in ODI

Eoin Morgan smashed an unbeaten 89 not out from just 63 balls, as England won the opening ODI with Australia at Lord's by 15 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the five match series.....

After winning the toss and electing to field in gloomy conditions, Australian captain Michael Clarke would have been disapointed to see both Alastair Cook and Ian Bell put on 74 for the opening wicket, even with a couple of short stopages for rain early in the innings.

When both openers fell, along with Jonathan Trott, who made another half century in this form of the game, England were still short of making a decent total.

However, Morgan, supported by Kieswetter, put paid to that, with some superb hitting, especially off the pace bowling of Brett Lee.

England were to finish on 272-5, a very decent total given the conditions they were asked to bat in earlier in the day.

With the sun now out, it looked a formality that Australia, would chase down the runs needed to win, even more so when they reached 96-1, but some disiplined bowling reigned the visitors in, with Finn and Bresnan in particluar impressive.

James Anderson chipped in with a couple of wickets, but looked injured halfway through the innings, and will be a concern for the England backroom staff.

England: Cook (C), Bell, Trott, Bopara, Morgan, Kieswetter (W), Bresnan, Broad, Swann, Anderson, Finn

Australia: Watson, Warner, Bailey, Clarke (C), D Hussey, Smith, Wade (W), Lee, McKay, Cummins, Doherty

BBC SCORECARD

First one-day international, Lord's England 272-5 (50 ovs) beat Australia 257-9 (50 ovs) by 15 runs