Aaron Finch continues Australian assault

Hosts win by six wickets in first ODI to pile more misery on England.

MELBOURNE: Aaron Finch struck his second 50-over hundred as Australia maintained their dominance over England with a six-wicket victory in the first One-Day International (ODI) on Sunday.

Finch (121) and fellow opener David Warner (65) dazzled while captain Michael Clarke contributed 43 brisk runs as the hosts eased to a victory target of 270 with 4.2 overs to spare.

Earlier, half-centuries from Gary Ballance (79) and Eoin Morgan (50) helped England put behind a wobbly start and post 269 for seven.

The 163-run stand between Finch and Warner in 28 overs laid the foundation for Australia’s comprehensive win which prolonged England’s misery after their Test series whitewash.

Australia’s openers enjoyed their share of luck with Finch being dropped by Ballance on eight and Warner, when on 22, was called back from the boundary line after replays could not establish conclusively whether Jos Buttler had taken a clean catch behind the stumps or not.

Batting first, England had suffered an early blow when Cook got caught behind for four. Clint McKay claimed his second victim in Joe Root to reduce the tourists to 22 for two before Ian Bell and Ballance steadied the ship.

Some big hitting late in the innings from Buttler (34) and Tim Bresnan (16) allowed England to reach a defendable total, but it was not enough against the rampant Australian batting line-up.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2014.

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