England proves too good for Australia

England beat Australia by 48 runs in their opening match of the Champions Trophy on Saturday. Ian Bell's 91 helped steer England to 269 for six.

The tourists could make only 221 for nine with half-centuries from stand-in captain George Bailey and James Faulkner.

James Anderson claimed three victims to become England’s leading wicket-taker in ODIs with 237, surpassing Darren Gough.

Following a second-wicket stand of 111 between Bell and Jonathan Trott, the latter’s departure for 43 heralded a mid-innings collapse, with Root (12), Eoin Morgan (8) and Jos Buttler (1) going cheaply. Bell also departed in that mini-meltdown, bowled by Faulkner with a fourth ODI century in sight after a 115-ball knock.

Ravi Bopara (46 not out) and Tim Bresnan (19 not out) provided some flourishes in a belated rally.

Australia lost wickets at regular intervals starting with David Warner (9) in the sixth over when he was caught behind off Broad.

Alastair Cook dropped tough chances off Shane Watson and Phil Hughes, but snagged Watson (24) following an inside edge off Bresnan.

When Hughes departed for 30, lbw to Root’s part-time off-spin, Australia was struggling even with Bailey plugging away at one end for 55.

Anderson claimed the wickets of Mitchell Marsh and Matthew Wade at the start of his second spell, and then Starc later to grab England’s ODI record, ending with figures of three for 30

Scoreboard

England: A. Cook c Wade b Watson 30 (42b, 3x4), I. Bell b Faulkner 91 (115b, 7x4), J. Trott c Wade b Starc 43 (56b, 1x4), J. Root c Bailey b McKay 12 (17b, 1x4), E. Morgan b McKay 8 (12b), R. Bopara (not out) 46 (37b, 3x4, 1x6), J. Buttler b Faulkner 1 (2b), T. Bresnan (not out) 19 (20b, 2x4); Extras (lb-12, w-6, nb-1): 19, Total (for six wkts. in 50 overs): 269.

Fall of wickets: 1-57 (Cook), 2-168 (Trott), 3-189 (Bell), 4-189 (Root), 5-212 (Morgan), 6-213 (Buttler).

Australia bowling: Starc 10-0-75-1, Johnson 8-0-44-0, McKay 10-0-38-2, Watson 7-0-26-1, Faulkner 10-0-48-2, Voges 3-0-13-0, Marsh 2-0-13-0.

Keywords: England-Australia ODI, Champions Trophy 2013