MX23RW : Friday, November 8 18:10:07| >> :600:340353:340353:

Live Commentary: First One-Day International - England vs. Australia

Sports Mole brings you live text coverage from the first One-Day international between England and Australia at Lords.

Good morning and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the first one-day international between England and Australia at Lord's.

England have won their last six home limited-overs series but face a stern test against the world's number one ranked side in a mini preview of next summer's Ashes.

Australia skipper Michael Clarke has won the toss and decided to bowl on a Lord's wicket that promises to offer something for the tourists' seam attack.

That will be spearheaded by experienced paceman Brett Lee and young prodigy Pat Cummins, who is being tipped as an Aussie star of the future.

England have named an unchanged side from the victory over the West Indies at the Kia Oval a fortnight ago, with captain Alastair Cook and Ian Bell scheduled to open the batting when play begins at 10.45am.

Full teams:

England: Cook(c), Bell, Trott, Bopara, Morgan, Kieswetter(wk), Bresnan, Broad, Swann, Anderson, Finn.

Australia: Warner, Watson, Bailey, Clarke(c), Hussey, Smith, Wade (wk), Lee, McKay, Cummins, Doherty.


19.52:So, England take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, with the next match being played on Sunday at The Oval. Be sure to join Sports Mole for live commentary on that one! Thanks for following the match with us today.

19.49:In the second half of the match, despite James Anderson being a tad off colour, England's seam attack bowled with both pace and discipline, while Graeme Swann contributed an important set of economical overs. Australia weren't far away in the end though and themselves bowled well, especially at the top of the innings.

19.46:A valiant effort from the Australian lower order but they couldn't guide their team past the finish line. As it turned out, Eoin Morgan's fantastic unbeaten 89 was the difference between the sides, but he wouldn't have been able to play the way he did had Bell, Cook and Trott not laid the foundations with a trio of patient and responsible knocks.

Over 50:OVER: Australia 257-9 - England win by 15 runs

Over 50:Lee certainly tried. If he had connected with that swing it may have been worth 12. Anyway, a dot ball effectively gives England the win.

Over 50:18 from 3 with Lee on strike. This one is all over bar the maths.

Over 50:Finn to bowl the last, with Australia requiring 21 from 6. I'm not sure that stranger things have actually happened...

Over 49:Broad follows up a wide with an excellent slower ball that would have fooled much better batsmen then Doherty, and then finishes with a fine yorker which Lee can't squirm away.

Over 49:Single for Doherty and then three due to a poor miss-field from Finn. 23 from 9 required.

Over 49:Lee takes a single off the first ball. Australia need to go some from both ends here, they can't be relying on Lee to power them home.

Over 48:OVER: Australia 245-9 Doherty blocks out the last ball of Swann's spell to allow Lee the strike against Stuart Broad, who has returned to bowl his final over.

Over 48:Swann sees Lee advancing down the track and fires in a quicker one towards his pads. Somehow, the Aussie batsman gets a tickle on it and the ball runs away for four behind the keeper.

Over 48:Drop! Swann finds Doherty's edge but Kieswetter can't cling on to a tricky one behind the stumps. Very little reaction time for the Somerset glovesman. I doubt England will regret that drop though...

Over 47:OVER: Australia 239-9 Doherty takes a one from the last ball of the over. Australia require 34 from the final 3 overs, but only some superb Brett Lee hitting is going to see that happen.

Over 47:Lee gives himself room and strikes one cleanly over extra cover for four off Bresnan. "On the tee from Australia, Brett Lee"...jokes spin legend Shane Warne on Sky Sports commentary.

Over 46:Wicket! Australia 231-9 - Cummins Lbw Broad 4 Cummins is trapped plumb in-front by Broad and as a last sign of Australian desperation, he calls for a referral. The whole process takes about seven seconds as the replays show the ball would have cannoned into middle stump. Cummins is off the field before Aleem Dar can confirm the decision. England are just one wicket away...

Over 46:Hello. Pat Cummins shows he's not to be underestimated with the bat as he latches on to a short of a length ball from Broad and pulls it powerfully to the boundary.

Over 46:Wicket! Australia 226-8- McKay ct Kieswetter b Broad 2 It isn't Brett Lee, but it is another wicket for England. Broad tests McKay with a short one and he takes a huge swing at it, but only succeeds in sending it straight up in the air. Kieswetter calls for it early, circles under the ball and makes a tricky catch look very comfortable.

Over 45:OVER: Australia 226-7 The man often called upon to bowl for England at the death, Stuart Broad, is called into the attack. 47 runs needed off 30 balls for Australia while the wicket of Brett Lee should do the job for England.

Over 45:Those of you that are proud owners of the 2005 Ashes series dvd will know that Brett Lee hits a long ball. He doesn't quite get hold of this swing off Bresnan but it goes one bounce into the fence for four. Just a sign that this game may not be over yet.

Over 44:OVER: Australia 220-7 Meanwhile, Finn tests Lee with a bouncer but the Aussie quick emerges smiling after the ball flies off his edge for four while he ducked for cover.

Over 44:That was a huge wicket for England and may just put this game beyond the reach of Australia.

Over 43:Wicket! Australia 214-7 - Clarke Lbw Bresnan 61 Second time lucky for England! Again, Bresnan hits Clarke on the pads with one that swings in late through the air. This time though the Aussie skipper is plumb in-front and the umpire wastes little time in showing Clarke the trigger.

Over 43:Review! More out of hope than expectation, England call for a referral when Clarke is strapped on the pads by Bresnan. It hits the Aussie captain on the full but seems to be missing the leg-stump...and the review suggest that it was.

Over 43:Brett Lee is the new man and he watches from the other end as Clarke helps a Bresnan bouncer round the corner to the boundary.

Over 42:Wicket! Australia 205-6 - Wade run out 27 Disaster for Australia as a real mix-up in the middle leads to Wade being run out. He nudges the ball into the leg-side, calls Clarke through but then changes his mind and holds his ground. Clarke has ran through and Wade realises he needs to sacrifice himself for the good of the chase. Needless wicket to give away.

Over 42:Fifty! A patient and plucky half-century brought up from Michael Clarke brought up with a massive six over mid-wicket. That also brings up 7,000 one-day international runs for the 31-year-old. Very good player.

Over 42:Swann drags one down and Clarke cuts with power through cover for four. That's the 50 partnership between these two, which as come at a run-a-ball.

Over 41:OVER: Australia 193-5 Ten in total off that Anderson over following Wade's first-ball six.

Over 41:Well that will relieve some pressure. Anderson drops one short and Wade is onto it in a flash, crashing the ball right out of the crews and into the crowd.

Over 40:OVER: Australia 183-5 Swann continues to bowl economically and pushes the required rate up to nine an over.

Over 39:OVER: Australia 180-5 Six runs from Anderson's return over. Australia starting to gain some momentum here, but the required rate is still up at 8.5 runs an over.

Over 39:James Anderson is back on the field and back into the attack from his preferred Nursery end.

Over 38:OVER: Australia 174-5 Another good over for the tourists, with Wade taking a boundary from the first ball with a slog sweep.

Over 38:I suggested Wade may look to go over-the-top soon to Swann and he does here, but doesn't get it anywhere near the middle. Finn runs in from long-on but cannot reach it. Lucky escape for Wade, but excellent from Swann, who is giving the ball more flight when bowling to the left-hander.

Over 37:OVER: Australia 164-5 Eight off the Broad over, a tally helped by an edge through third man for four.

Over 36:OVER: Australia 156-5 Both Aussie batsmen are prepared to use their feet to Swann, but at the moment they are just doing it in defence. Wade likes to strike a ball though so he may look to go over-the-top in the near future.

Over 35:OVER: Australia 152-5

Over 34:OVER: Australia 150-5 Swann picks up where he left off with another economical set. Meanwhile his Notts teammate Broad is back on at the other end.

Over 34:Immediately after the conclusion of the powerplay, Cook reverts to Swann. A few tight overs here will really raise the run rate and mount the pressure on Clarke and company.

Over 33:OVER: Australia 148-5 Wicket-keeper batsman Matthew Wade is the new man at the crease, and he gets off the mark with a single first ball.

Over 33:Wicket! Australia 147-5 - Smith ct Kieswetter b Bresnan 8 I hate to say I told you so...Smith just hangs his bat out at a length delivery from Bresnan and the ball just nibbles Smith's bat on its way through to Kieswetter. Nothing shot.

Over 33:The second drinks break is taken, with Australia requiring 127 to win from 108 balls. Shane Watson stated his belief that England were a batsman short, but I'd say that the Aussie's look a bit light in the middle order. Smith doesn't look convincing as a number six to me.

Over 32:OVER: Australia 145-4 Brilliant delivery to finish from Finn as he beats the edge of an uncertain Michael Clarke with one that lifts and nips away from the Aussie skipper. Beauty.

Over 31:OVER: Australia 142-4 Three overs of the batting powerplay gone and it has turned out to be an unsuccessful gamble so far.

Over 31:Drop! Bresnan shells a caught and bowled chance off Clarke. He doesn't really time the straight drive back but Bresnan can't swallow what was not a difficult chance. That could have been the game for England!

Over 30:OVER: Australia 136-4 Steven Smith is the new man in and is off the mark with a pair of twos backward of square on the off-side.

Over 30:Wicket! Australia 123-4 - Hussey b Finn 13 Finn gets his second wicket, but this one comes courtesy of a huge slice of fortune. A bouncer hits Hussey on the shoulder before deflecting off his helmet and onto the stumps. Great slice of luck for England.

Over 30:As I predicted, Swann is out of the attack and Finn is on in his place.

Over 29:OPEN: Australia 132-3 Bresnan is given the responsibility of bowling with the restrictions in the absence of Anderson. He begins well as the over goes for just two.

Over 29:Very clever move from Clarke as he calls for the batting powerplay after seeing England sit back and be content to limit boundaries. It also means Swann will be forced out of the attack and with usual powerplay bowler Anderson off the field, Australia may see this as a chance to get ahead of the rate.

Over 28:OVER: Australia 131-3 England are in 'restrict mode' here. Swann is back into the attack, with five men on the fence and plenty of space for singles. Only two are taken though in another tight over from the Notts spinner.

Over 27:OVER: Australia 129-3 Swing and a miss to end the over. A bit of shape from Bresnan, who got that delivery to move away late.

Over 27:Four for Hussey through third man. The Aussie insinuates that he guided the ball down but it was all edge from Bresnan's perspective.

Over 26:OVER: Australia 125-3

Over 25:OVER: Australia 123-3 Much better from Bresnan, who was a bit erratic and expensive in his first spell. Only two off that over as Australia reach the halfway stage needing a further 150 to win.

Over 25:With Anderson off the field, Cook turns to Bresnan in the second part of a double bowling change.

Over 24:OVER: Australia 121-3 Finn, who took England's first wicket, is brought back into the attack but is a bit wild. He goes past the edge of both Clarke and Hussey before only a fantastic diving stop from Kieswetter behind the stumps saves him five wides. The Middlesex paceman does look a wicket-taking threat on his home ground.

Over 23:OVER: Australia 118-3 Anderson bowls his seventh from the Nursery end but he immediately calls the substitute on to the field after completing his over. Obviously hasn't run that niggle off...

Over 22:OVER: Australia 113-3

Over 21:OVER: Australia 111-3 Another boundary for Clarke as Bresnan can't stop a leg glance rolling into the ropes. Great over for England though with Anderson picking up the key wicket of Warner.

Over 21:Beautiful way to get off the mark from Clarke as he punches Anderson straight back past him, along the ground for four. Textbook.

Over 21:Two new batsman at the crease now for the tourists as Hussey joind Clarke in the middle. This would be an excellent time for England to build some pressure.

Over 21:Wicket! Australia 102-3 - Warner ct Kieswetter b Anderson 56 There's the wicket England wanted as Kieswetter clings onto an excellent catch behind the stumps after Warner flashed hard at a full Anderson delivery. The England seamer has spent the last 10 minutes limping, and still picked up two wickets.

Over 20:OVER: Australia 98-2 Excellent set by Broad, while Anderson is continuing to bowl despite evidently being in some discomfort.

Over 20:Captain Michael Clarke is Australia's new man and he is struck on the pad leaving his first ball from Stuart Broad. Big shout from England but it appears too high.

Over 19:Wicket! Australia 96-2 - Bailey b Anderson 29 Anderson had limped away after bowling his two previous deliveries, but even so he manages to sneak one through Bailey's defences. The ball nips back a bit with the slope and Bailey inside-edges it onto his stumps. Good time to take a wicket for England, but it wasn't the man they wanted.

Over 18:OVER: Australia 91-1 Expensive over from Broad to start the powerplay. He did pin Bailey back with a good short ball but only after the Aussie number three cut him to the fence through backward point.

Over 18:Fifty! An excellent, well-paced half-century from Warner which has included two big sixes. His eye is well in now and if he's in for another 10 overs, he could take this game away from England.

Over 18:Cook signals for the bowling powerplay and asks Stuart Broad to run in with the restrictions in place. Warner gets the second ball away for four through third man. A hint of an edge in that one.

Over 17:OVER: Australia 80-1 Australia will be happy with their position at the first drinks break. Warner is hitting the ball very cleanly and as yet, hasn't looked in much danger. Bailey is going about his business very quietly and proving a good foil for Australia's aggressive opener.

Over 17:Cook turns to his sixth bowler early on as Bopara comes on from the Nursery end. Pace off the ball against Warner may be the thought process.

Over 16:OVER: Australia 75-1 Just three more from Swann's over. He's proving economical but hasn't really looked a wicket-taking threat as yet.

Over 15:OVER: Australia 72-1 Warner is on 42 off 48 and looking dangerous. If England can dismiss him soon they'll back themselves to win this. Warner is Australia's match-winner and he's made a good start to firing the tourists home today.

Over 15:Warner is having no problems against the pace bowling of Broad though. The England bowler drops one short and Warner smashes it into the crowd 10 rows back. Decent hit.

Over 14:OVER: Australia 65-1 First blood Swann as he restricts Warner to just a single off his second over.

Over 13:OVER: Australia 64-1 Broad back into the attack in place of Bresnan, who went for 15 in his two overs from the Pavilion end. Just three off the 13th.

Over 12:OVER: Australia 61-1 Uneventful start from Swann. Him versus Warner could be a key battle here. We know how much the off-spinner loves bowling to left-handers.

Over 12:Cook chucks the ball to Swann for the first time. Sky Sports pundit and ex England captain Nasser Hussain thinks his 10 overs will be key in deciding this match.

Over 11:OVER: Australia 57-1 Loose from Bresnan, but ruthless from Warner. The Yorkshire all-rounder tries a slower-ball bouncer which is misdirected down the leg-side and Warner latches onto it and pulls it hard for four.

Over 10:OVER: Australia 50-1 Good first over from Broad, who finishes with a sharp bouncer which flies past Warner.

Over 10:Double change as Broad comes on from the Pavilion end. The Notts seamer has enjoyed lots of success at Lords in the Test format, will he be among the wickets today?

Over 9:OVER: Australia 49-1 Bresnan into the attack in place of Anderson. Eight off the over as Warner leans back and smashes a good length ball over mid-on for four. Bresnan not impressed.

Over 8:OVER: Australia 41-1 More width for Warner and the same result occurs. Good over for the Aussies, with Warner steadily getting his eye in.

Over 8:For the first time, Warner is offered some width and he thrashes he hands through the ball. It rockets to the fence...

Over 8:Finn clocks a delivery at a more than breezy 92.9mph. Quickest ball of the day so far.

Over 7:OVER: Australia 27-1 Anderson drops one in short but he isn't quick enough to do so on this pitch. Bailey rocks back and pulls him to the boundary through mid-wicket.

Over 7:New batsman, Aussie T20 captain George Bailey, is off the mark with a backward cut for two.

Over 6:Wicket! Australia 20-1 - Watson c Kieswetter b Finn 12 That noise proves to be bat as hot spot shows a feint white mark on Watson's edge. Big wicket for England as Watson had showed his class with a superb straight drive the ball before.

Over 6:Review! Watson hangs his bat out at one from Finn and there's a big noise. England go up, Watson stands still, umpire Aleem Dar is motionless. Finn can't believe it. Cook calls for the review...

Over 6:A second run-out chance for England and Ravi Bopara. Watson looks to be short but the throw from the Essex man is way off the mark.

Over 5:OVER: Australia 15-0 England are matching the start made by the Australia bowlers and have been largely disciplined so far.

Over 4:Now the Aussie openers have had a little look, I'll be very interested to see how they play. There are much more aggressive strikers than England's top order and tend to want to get ahead of the rate, rather than play cautiously and keep wickets in hand as England did. Will they take chances against a bowling attack of this strength though?

Over 4:OVER: Australia 11-0 Another good over from Finn, with Watson stealing a single off the last ball.

Over 3:OVER: Australia 10-0 Excellent from Anderson as he goes past Warner's edge on more than one occasion.

Over 2:OVER: Australia 9-0 Good heat from Finn as he fires one into Warner's rib cage at around 91mph. Next ball Warner is hesitant in coming forward. I wonder why?!

Over 2:England have a wealth of class seam options, but as expected Steven Finn's extra pace sees him given first go at the Pavilion end. This is his home ground as well remember, so he should know how to use the famous slope better than most.

Over 1:OVER: Australia 5-0 Sloppy start from Anderson, at least for his high standards. He slips in a wide and also strays onto Watson's pads and allows him an easy two through the leg side.

15.55:I'm back! And just in time too, with Australia poised to begin their chase, needing 273 to win. Warner and Watson are opening the batting for the tourists, while James Anderson will have first go with the new ball from the Nursery end. Here we go...

15.28:I'm going to join the players in taking a break. Not convinced that my ham sandwich is on a par with the spread on offer at Lords, but never mind. Be sure to rejoin Sports Mole when play resumes in around half-an-hour!

15.24:England 272-5 Morgan 89*, Trott 54, Bell 41, Cook 40. Brilliant knock by Morgan to steer England just beyond my predicted total of 270. The Irishman can just accelerate so quickly. He came in at the ideal stage and timed his innings almost perfectly. A good performance from the Aussie bowlers, who all finish with one wicket each. Lee probably the pick due to a superb first two spells.

Over 50:WICKET! England 272-5 - Kieswetter ct Warner b Watson 25 Superb diving catch by Warner at long off to dismiss Kieswetter on the final ball.

Over 50:Two balls left, Morgan needs 12 for a hundred. Could he, could he?

Over 50:If you can't go through the bowler, go over the keeper, seems to be Kieswetter's thought process. He picks up a valuable boundary with a delicate scoop straight out of the Dilshan playbook.

Over 50:*In Australian accent* "That's gonna hurt in the morning son"...Kieswetter smashes one back at Watson but the bowler sticks out a hand and takes one for the team. He shakes his fingers in pain. Ouch!

Over 49:OVER: England 264-4 A great Brett Lee over at a great time for Australia. Just two come from the first five balls, but Morgan is able to slice a drive over backward point for four on the last delivery.

Over 48:OVER: England 258-4 Watson proving expensive. Four more to Morgan as he strikes powerfully down the ground. A diving Steven Smith gets a finger to the ball but can't prevent it making contact with the boundary.

Over 48:Another maximum from Morgan! It's a short of a length ball from Watson and Morgan gets underneath it, just getting enough of it to clear the outstretched hand of David Hussey on the rope.

Over 48:As I suspected, Watson on to bowl the final two overs at the Nursery end and he is greeted by an advancing Craig Kieswetter, who strikes him back over his head for four. The Somerset keeper is getting in on the action now.

Over 47:Superb hitting from Morgan! Really interesting battle between Lee and Morgan. The Aussie paceman prevents the Middlesex batsman from scoring with a yorker and slower ball bouncer at the start of the over, but Morgan finishes with two big sixes over mid-wicket.

Over 46:OVER: England 224-4 McKay varies his pace well and defeats Kieswetter with a couple of clever slower balls. Just four overs left- I expect two each from Lee and Watson.

Over 46:McKay to bowl his last as we enter the final five overs.

Over 45:OVER: England 218-4 Another ten from Cummins' final over. He finishes with 1-53 from his 10, which is a slightly harsh set of figures considering how well he bowled in his second spell.

Over 45:Fifty! Half-century for Morgan and very well played too. His runs have come at a strike-rate of 111, which is excellent going. If he can kick on from here, as he often has done, he can guide England to a very competitive total.

Over 45:Close shave for Morgan as Cummins bangs another in short. This time Morgan attempts to guide it over the keeper but only succeeds in gloving it upwards. Wade dives in an attempt to catch it but can't quite reach it.

Over 45:Cummins comes back for his last over at the Pavilion end. He puts in a bouncer first ball but Morgan hooks one bounce into the crowd.

Over 44:OVER: England 208-4 Good over for England, with the boundary from Morgan and singles from every other ball. They'll have to go some here though to reach my 270 prediction.

Over 44:Morgan succeeds where Kieswetter failed as he strikes McKay superbly through extra cover to the fence.

Over 43:OVER: England 199-4 Kieswetter backs away and attempts to hit Doherty through his favourite extra cover area, but Clarke dives down brilliantly and limits him to a single. That's the end of Doherty's 10 overs, with the spinner picking up 1-50.

Over 42:OVER: England 193-4 Good over from McKay, with just two coming from it. Kieswetter will look to take the Aussie attack on from here- he did have one huge swing at a length ball from McKay in this over.

Over 41:OVER: England 191-4 Excellent over from Australia. Just as England may have been thinking about attacking Doherty he takes a wicket and makes the hosts rethink their strategy.

Over 41:Wicket! England 189-4 - b Doherty 54 Doherty back into the attack and gets a wicket first ball as he beats Trott for length. It was almost a yorker and the South African-born batsman was looking to hit it square, with the ball sneaking under his bat.

Over 40:OVER: England 189-3 England in a good position at the end of the powerplay. They'll be looking for between eight and ten an over from here and a score between 260 and 280.

Over 40:Watson replaces Cummins for the final over of the batting powerplay, which has proved lucrative for England.

Over 39:OVER: England 182-3 12 from that Brett Lee over. England have wickets in hand and have set themselves a good base here. 270 may be on the cards if Morgan can get going.

Over 39:Fifty! Jonathan Trott reaches his half-century from 65 balls with three boundaries. Reliable as ever.

Over 39:Good spell this for England as Trott adds for more to the total. He leaves Lee scowling as he edges one fine through third man for four.

Over 39:More great work on the ropes from Australia as Cummins saves two with an athletic bit of fielding.

Over 38:OVER: England 170-3 Fine over for England as Morgan hits the sixth ball into the stands straight back over Cummins' head. First maximum of the afternoon and little surprise that it comes from the Middlesex man.

Over 38:To add insult to injury, Trott takes advantage of a misdirected slower ball by thrashing it through the covers for four.

Over 38:Chance! Drop from Cummins of his own bowling. Trott hits it firmly back towards him and he puts out a hand only for the ball to pop straight out. Difficult chance, sometimes they stick, sometimes they don't.

Over 37:OVER: England 157-3 Six from that Lee over, which is his most expensive of the day so far.

Over 37:Four from the first ball as Morgan flicks Lee to the fence through the leg-side.

Over 36:OVER: England 151-3 Just two runs off that Cummins over. Unsurprisingly, Clarke throws the ball to Lee at the other end.

Over 35:OVER: England 149-3 The signal has been given for the batting powerplay. Clarke calls upon Cummins to bowl the first over with the field restrictions in place. Only three men allowed outside the circle.

Over 34:OVER: England 146-3 England are happy to milk Doherty for a few singles an over.

Over 33:OVER: England 142-3 Evenly poised at the second drinks break. Australia have had the better of the last eight overs or so, but as long as Morgan is there England have the ability to up gears instantly.

Over 33:Watson back on at the Pavilion end as Clarke goes in search of a few more cheap overs while England are meandering a little.

Over 32:OVER: England 136-3

Over 32:Review! No sign of any bat in that one and the decision stands. NOT OUT.

Over 32:Review! First sign of turn from Doherty. Trott hangs his bat out and the ball goes past the outside edge. Wade appeals for the stumping, Doherty appeals for the catch. Neither are given so Clarke goes upstairs.

Over 32:Doherty over-pitches one and Trott flicks him for three through the leg-side. Brilliant piece of fielding on the boundary from David Hussey saves one run.

Over 31:OVER: England 131-3 Morgan picks up two from the last ball with a cut through the covers.

Over 30:OVER: England 125-3 Good over from Doherty, just three from it. I'm pretty sure Clarke will continue with his spinner here and try to get some cheap overs in while England are on the back foot a little.

Over 29:OVER: England 123-3 Excellent over for Australia, with McKay's reintroduction bringing about the wicket. Credit to Clarke though for the bowling change and field placing.

Over 29:Morgan is the new man and this is really the ideal time in the innings for England's key man to come to the crease. Clarke isn't backing down though, employing two slips and two gullys early on to the left hander. Positive captaincy.

Over 29:WICKET! England 121-3 - ct Clarke b McKay 15 Clarke brings McKay back into the attack and the seamer squares Bopara up first ball and finds the edge. Clarke swallows the catch himself at first slip, which is an attacking position at this stage in an ODI. Excellent, aggressive captaincy from Clarke.

Over 28:OVER: England 121-2 Another Doherty over goes by without him looking like a wicket-taking threat.

Over 28:Bopara comes down the track, gives himself room and hits over extra cover for four. That's his go-to shot against the spinner and he plays it well here.

Over 27:OVER: England 115-2

Over 27:Chance! Australia were calling for a run-out a couple of overs ago and they nearly had one here. Trott drops and runs off Cummins and the paceman turns and throws at the bowlers end. He narrowly misses with Trott stranded about two thirds of the way down. Fortunate escape for England's number three.

Over 26:OVER: England 111-2 England appear very comfortable against Doherty and they are just milking the spinner at over six runs an over.

Over 26:Excellent shot from Trott as he uses his feet to reach the pitch of the ball and hit Doherty over the top for four.

Over 25:OVER: England 103-2 Cummins outsmarts Trott as the England batsman backs away to hit through the off-side, but Cummins throws in a wider, slower ball which fools Trott.

Over 25:England bring up the hundred just as they approach the halfway stage as Bopara sends a clip through mid-on for three.

Over 24:OVER: England 98-2

Over 24:We are going to see spin again with Doherty back on for Watson. It will be interesting to see if Clarke uses any of his part-time spinners such as Smith, Hussey or even himself if Doherty doesn't work out.

Over 23:OVER: England 95-2Pace and bounce from Cummins as he crashes Bopara on the helmet. The Essex man was unshaken though and laughs the blow off with a smile.

Over 23:Bopara is off the mark with a single first ball.

Over 22:OVER: England 92-2 Bopara is the new man in, but he is yet to face a ball as Trott picks up a two and a single to take the score into the nineties.

Over 21:WICKET! England 89-2 - ct Wade b Cummins 40 Big wicket for Australia as Cook edges an attempted drive off a fuller, wider one from Cummins, with Wade taking a regulation catch. Both openers now gone for England having made promising starts.

Over 21:Cummins back into the attack in place of Lee.

Over 20:OVER: England 88-1 Better over from Watson, with just one coming from it.

Over 19:OVER: England 87-1

Over 19:Cook moves into the forties as he pulls Lee behind square to the boundary. Fine shot.

Over 19:Replays are showing that Bell may have got a little inside edge on his wicket ball. He could have been reprieved for a second time if he had referred it, but he didn't seem interested. Lucky break for Australia.

Over 19:Trott is the new man in for England and he'll face up to Lee now...

Over 18:OVER: England 81-1 Another expensive over from Watson as Cook capitalises on a short, wide delivery by thrashing it through backward point for four.

Over 18:Dropped catch! Wade drops a tricky one behind the stumps. Cook gets an inside edge and the wicketkeeper dives down the leg side but can't hold on. Would have been two in two balls for the Aussies.

Over 17:OVER: England 74-1 Deserved wicket for Lee as he does exactly what his captain asks of him. Important breakthrough for the tourists.

Over 17:WICKET! England 74-1 - Ian Bell - Lbw Lee 41 Bell is struck on the pad by one that nips back from Lee and beats him for pace. Aleem Dar puts his finger up straight away and this time Bell doesn't bother referring. Stone dead that one.

Over 17:Oh dear. Awful fielding from Bailey leaves Lee unimpressed. Cook strikes one down the ground and when trying to flick it back, Bailey only succeeds in knocking it into the fence.

Over 16:OVER: England 69-0 Excellent start from England as they break for drinks without loss. Bell is looking very assured now after struggling a tad against Lee's new-ball bowling. Cook has just got going too...

Over 16:A change of ends for Watson, who will bowl the first over in the bowling powerplay just called by Clarke. Sweepers on each side and a third man are the three men outside of the circle.

Over 15:OVER: England 64-0 Lee brings some discipline back to the Australian bowling with a tight over.

Over 15:Watson lasts just one over as Clarke recalls Lee into the attack. Little surprise there as England were getting on top after a couple of lucrative overs. Clarke has called on his senior bowler to try and find him a breakthrough.

Over 14:OVER: England 62-0 A boundary from each batsman as Bell firstly plays a delicate reverse sweep before Cook latches on to some width from Doherty to cut him through backward point for four. Good over for England.

Over 13:OVER: England 52-0 Atherton follows up his "reluctant" bowler comment with a comparison to Jacques Kallis. Every time Athers, every time!

Over 13:I wondered how long it would take until Atherton described Watson as a "reluctant" bowler. Sure enough, four balls into his spell...

Over 13:Watson is a bit loose early on and strays onto Bell's pads. The Warwickshire man doesn't miss out and clips the ball beautifully through the leg side for four.

Over 13:Double bowling change for Australia. Watson comes into the attack to bowl his more than competent medium pace. I'm a big fan of this bloke as a cricketer. We'll see him open the batting later too (if the rain stays away!)...

Over 12:OVER: England 46-0 Three singles off the over, but Cook missed out on a possible boundary when he swept straight to Warner on the edge of the ring at square leg.

Over 12:Spin into the attack early as Clarke calls on Xavier Doherty. We aren't in a powerplay here so the slow left arm bowler has his field set back. Appears to be a tad defensive from my view. "Singles everywhere" says Ian Botham.

Over 11:OVER: England 43-0 Cummins leaves the field at the end of the over. Let's hope that isn't anything serious as the 19-year-old has had some injury problems in the past.

Over 11:Cook finally gets going with a square drive off an over-pitched ball from Cummins. First boundary of the day for the England captain.

Over 10:OVER: England 37-0 England end the first powerplay strongly, but it hasn't been an easy opening 10 overs. The fact that England are without loss is key though as wickets in hand may prove very important on this kind of surface.

Over 10:Two excellent shots from Bell. McKay firstly offers him a bit of width and he deliberately goes over the top of extra cover for four. Next ball is a beautifully timed punch down the ground which also reaches the boundary. Bell at his classy best with that second stroke.

Over 10:Bell shows some intent as he advances down the track and pulls McKay away off the front foot. He doesn't find the middle though and only picks up two.

Over 9:OVER: England 27-0 Singles each for Cook and Bell off Cummins, who clocked above 90mph more than once in that over.

Over 8:OVER: England 25-0 Bell squeezes a two through gully, while McKay opens up the extras' account with a wide.

Over 7:OVER: England 22-0 A straight drive for three from Bell takes him into double figures.

Over 7:First boundary for England, but in a somewhat fortunate fashion. Bell takes on the short ball from Cummins and he top edges it high over the slips for four.

12.08Cook and Bell have made their way back to the crease and will face Pat Cummins immediately after the rain break. Here we go...again...

12.05Good news! The covers are off and play will resume at 12.10pm.

11.59:The rain is easing off, but the drizzle is still preventing the players re-entering the field.

11.53:Shane Warne and Michael Holding are hyping Pat Cummins in the Sky Sports studio. I am very much looking forward to seeing him bowl, which, weather dependent, shouldn't be too far away.

11.46:This sounds strange seeing as we have had three rain breaks already, but the forecast is generally pretty good. Sky Sports seem to think that once this next half-an-hour has passed, we should be rain free for the rest of the afternoon.

11.39:Sky Sports pundits Mike Atherton and Ian Botham were discussing what they think a par score is. The both agree that around 240 will be very competitive.

11.37:More frustration for the players and spectators as rain stops play for a third time. Again, it appears to only be a short shower so hopefully the players can get back on, and stay on, shortly.

Over 6:PLAY SUSPENDED FOR RAIN - England 15-0

Over 6:Edge! Second ball after the restart, Cook flashes at one off McKay but gets just enough of it to see the ball carry over second slip. Lee gets down well at third man to prevent four.

11.29The umpires have wandered out and the covers are coming off. Play will resume at around 11.35am and no overs have been lost at this stage.

11.26:An England opener has scored a century in the last six One-Day internationals. Either Cook or Bell will do very well to make that seven today in these conditions and against this attack.

11.23:No news of a resumption in play. Any developments and I'll let you know...

11.19:Very good start from the Australian bowlers. Lee and McKay have both bowled with discipline and at a more than steady pace too. The pitch has proved to offer some seam movement. Good decision by Clarke after winning the toss.

11.15:PLAY SUSPENDED FOR RAIN - England 12-0 Immediately following the third umpire's involvement, the players leave the field for rain again. This shower looks like it may be around a little longer, but if the forecast stays true it shouldn't delay the game for too long.

Over 6:REVIEW: Each team has one referral, and Bell chooses to use it here. McKay nips one back against the slope and it cuts Bell open. Wade goes up behind the stumps and the umpire puts his finger up. Bell reviews straight away and replays show he didn't make any contact with the ball. It may have brushed his shirt on the way through. Decision reversed - NOT OUT.

Over 5:OVER: England 11-0 Another tight over from Lee, backed up well in the field. We have more drizzle, but it isn't enough to force the players off. It will liven this wicket up though.

Over 5:Brilliant fielding from Warner. First loose ball from Lee gives Cook a bit of width and Cook middles it square of the wicket. A great diving stop from Warner at backward point prevents the boundary and limits Cook to a single.

Over 4:OVER: England 8-0 Cook flicks a single down to fine leg off the final ball of the over.

Over 4:Chance! Australia's tight bowling early on nearly pays dividends. Perhaps feeling the pressure of a slow start, Bell pushes the ball to Pat Cummins at mid-on. There's never a run there but fortunately for England Cummins misses with his shy at the stumps. Bell would have been well short.

Over 3:OVER: England 6-0 The slight delay didn't hamper Lee's rhythm at all as he bowls a maiden.

Over 3:We are back on at Lords, with Lee resuming against Cook. Immediately the Aussie beats the bat with a fine delivery which seamed away late.

10.58:Right on cue, the covers are coming off. Play should resume shortly...

10.56:What is it with this summer eh? The good news is it only appears to be a shower. We aren't forecast any great downpours so hopefully the players will be back on shortly.

Over 3:We appear to have a bit of light drizzle. In-fact, it's a tad more than that. The rain has come down and the players are leaving the field while the covers come on.

Over 2:OVER: England 6-0 Solid start from McKay also. A hint of movement on the last ball as he goes past Bell's edge.

Over 2:Clint McKay opens up from the other end and immediately has an appeal for Lbw on Bell. The fact that it deflects off Bell's pads for four leg byes suggests that it was sliding down and the umpire seems to agree as he shakes his head.

Over 1:OVER: England 2-0 As usual Lee is on it from ball one but Cook and Bell are each able to steer him away for singles and get themselves off the mark before the end of the first over.

Over 1:Here we go then, Brett Lee preparing to steam in from the Pavillion end. He'll bowl to Alastair Cook...
ID:32568: cacheID:32568:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:71432:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Michael Clarke
Read Next:
Clarke: ODIs good test of improvement
>