Melbourne, Jan. 16: A superb solo effort by Shane Watson with the bat enabled Australia to overcome a sloppy fielding effort and beat England in the opening one-day international at the MCG on Sunday.
Watson’s brilliant unbeaten 161 enabled the home side to chase down England’s imposing total of 294 from 49.4 overs with five balls to spare.
He and Brad Haddin laid the foundation for the win with a 110-run partnership, although another scratchy innings by captain Michael Clarke, for 36 off 57 balls.
Earler, Skipper Andrew Strauss (63) and opener Steve Davies (42) had put on 90 for the first wicket to give England a solid start. Kevin Pietersen then belted 78 off 75 balls, including three sixes.
Score Board
England innings
A. Strauss c Clarke b Lee 63, S. Davies b Hussey 42, J. Trott c Haddin b Hussey 6, K. Pietersen (run out) 78, I. Bell c Clarke b Smith 23, E. Morgan c White b Smith 8, M. Yardy c M. Hussey b Bollinger 9, T. Bresnan c Doherty b Lee 28, G. Swann c Doherty b Johnson 4, A. Shahzad (not out) 8, C. Tremlett c Haddin b Johnson 7, Extras (b-2, lb-1, w-14, nb-1) 18
Total (all out, 49.4 overs) 294
FoW: 1-90, 2-100, 3-131, 4-174, 5-186, 6-236, 7-257, 8-271, 9-278
Bowling: B. Lee 9-0-43-2, D. Bollinger 9-0-57-1, D. Hussey 6-0-42-2, M. Johnson 7.4-0-53-2, S. Watson 8-0-44-0, X. Doherty 7-0-40-0, S. Smith 3-0-12-2.
Australia innings
S. Watson (not out) 161, B. Haddin c Shahzad b Swann 39, M. Clarke c Shahzad b Bresnan 36, S. Smith c Yardy b Shahzad 5, M. Hussey c Tremlett b Bresnan 21, C. White (not out) 25, Extras (lb-6, w-3, nb-1) 10
Total (4 wickets, 49.1 overs) 297
FoW: 1-110, 2-213, 3-220, 4-244
Bowling: T. Bresnan 10-0-71-2, C. Tremlett 10-0-67-0, A. Shahzad 9.1-0-51-1, M. Yardy 9-0-53-0, G. Swann 10-0-42-1, J. Trott 1-0-7-0.