MELBOURNE: Australia overwhelmed England with a defeat in the first ODI by six wickets at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday ARY News reported.
England after winning the toss decided to bat first. They lost early wickets and went to 2 for 22 when Joe Root was lbw for a labouring 3 off 23 balls.
Ian Bell looked comfortable before he was bowled trying to slog-sweep Xavier Doherty for 41 and that left Gary Balance(79) and Ian Morgan(50) to put the innings back on track.
The combined performance from the middle order of English batsmen allowed visitors to post compatible score of 269 runs.
Australian pacer Clint McKay took 3 for 44 in the innings.
Australian opening pair Aaron Finch and David Warner put on 163 for the first wicket, a record opening stand for Australia in ODIs against England.
Aaron Finch made 123 runs and went out at the score of 237 runs.
Warner struck five fours and one six, scoring 65 runs and finally departed with a high slog off Joe Root that was taken by Stokes at long-on.
Shane Watson was bowled by Jordan for a second-ball duck but Finch and Michael Clarke(43) ensured the chase remained on target with a 72-run stand.
George Bailey remained not out on 17 and brought Australia home for an easy victory with 26 balls remaining.
