Warner leads Australia to easy win over England

Sydney, Jan 16 (IANS) David Warner helped Australia gain a bonus point after beating England by three wickets and 61 balls remaining in the opening match of the ODI tri-series, also involving India, at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) here Friday.

Warner smashed 127 off 115 balls as Australia chased down England's 234 all out in 39.5 overs to take home the bonus point.

Also read...Ross Taylor confident of not fizzling out before World Cup

The hosts were coasting to victory but four wickets for 28 runs made the chase more stressful than it should have been.

Eoin Morgan's fighting ton proved futile as the English bowlers struggled to contain the marauding Australians, especially Warner, who smacked 18 fours in his innings.

Chris Woakes was the pick of the English bowlers taking four wickets for 40 runs in his eight overs.

Earlier, after electing to bat, skipper Morgan's 121 lifted England to 234 all out in 47.5 overs.

Australia bowled with discipline to put the visitors in trouble from the outset. 

Left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc removed opener Ian Bell (0) and James Taylor (0) early with fellow pacer Pat Cummins inflicting further damager by dismissing the talented Joe Root (5).

Morgan, who replaced Alastair Cook at England's helm, walked in when the score read 12 for three in 3.4 overs. 

Opener Moeen Ali (22) also lost his wicket to James Faulkner before Xavier Doherty made further inroads into the English batting line-up by removing right-hander Ravi Bopara (13).

However, Morgan first stitched a 67-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Jos Buttler (28) before the wicketkeeper offered a catch to David Warner off the bowling of Faulkner.

Even though he was running out of partners, the England skipper took his time to settle down before going for expansive shots. 

His judicious shot selection saw him score 11 fours and three sixes as he recorded his seventh century. 

Chris Jordan (17) supported the new skipper with a 66-run partnership for the eighth wicket.

For Australia, Starc emerged as the most successful bowler, picking up four wickets for 42 runs while Faulkner took three for 47. Doherty, Glenn Maxwell and Cummins picked up a wicket each.

Brief scores: England 234 all out in 47.5 overs (Eoin Morgan 121, Jos Buttler 28; Mitchell Starc 4/42, James Faulkner 3/47) lost to Australia 235 for seven in 39.5 overs (David Warner 127, Steven Smith 37; Chris Woakes 4/40, Chris Jordan 1/33).