England got off to a great start in their opening match against Australia as they won by 48 runs. It looked as though England were making slow progress in their innings but great knocks from Ian Bell (91) and Ravi Bopara (47*) helped England reach 269-6 after 50 overs. It was only a brilliant bowling display from England to deny Australia reaching their target of 270 runs. Australia were reduced to 126-6 as Anderson overtook Darren Gough to become England's leading ODI wicket taker. Despite fifties from Bailey (55) and Faulkner (54*), it was not enough as England strolled to victory.
England won the toss and elected to bat which seemed a decent decision as they made their way to 54-0 after the opening powerplay. Unfortunately, Alistair Cook (30) edged behind as Shane Watson took Australia's first wicket. It was then slow but steady progress for England as Ian Bell made his fifty in the thirtieth over whilst at the crease with Jonathan Trott as England made their way to 142-1. In a effort to increase the run rate, Trott (43) edged behind to give Australia a much needed wicket. Two England wickets fell in the space of five balls as Faulkner bowled Ian Bell (91) before Root (12) was caught at mid-wicket to leave England on 189-4. It was a brief appearance from Morgan (8) who was bolwed by Mckay whilst to the disappointment of the crowd, Faulkner bowled Buttler (1) two balls later as England were reduced to 213-6 in the 43rd over. Fortunately, a 56 run partnership off 41 balls between Bopara (46*) and Bresnan (19) changed the game in favour of England as they pushed on to 269-6 after 50 overs.
Australia lost an early wicket as Broad dismissed Warner (9) in the sixth over to leave Australia 17-1. An important wicket fell in the fifteenth over as Watson (24) was caught at gully. Joe Root managed to dismiss Hughes (30) lbw to leave the Aussies on 94-3. It was then a batting collapse as Australia needed to up the run rate. Bresnan bowled Voges (15) Marsh (5) was caught at point. Five balls later Wade (1) was caught behind as Australia struggled to 136-6. Bailey completed his fifty but was soon caught at long-on. Bopara dismissed Johnson (8), who was caught at cover point, before Anderson put England closer to victory by bowling Starc (5) to leave Australia needing 80 runs off 31 balls with one wicket remaining. Faulkner impressively hit 54* off 42 balls whilst Mckay finished on 7* but it was not enough as they ended up on 221-9 after 50 overs which meant that England claimed victory by 48 runs.
Performance of the Day: Ian Bell for hitting 91 off 115 balls to provide England with stability and match winning runs. Unlucky not to make a century but played a pivotal role in England's first win the ICC Champions Trophy.
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