England took a 1-0 lead in the five ODI series against Australia when they beat the world champions by four wickets and with four overs to spare. The game was played at the South Bowl and was a day-night encounter. 
Australia batted first after they had won the toss and started off in a hurry, as they added 52 for the first wicket in even time. Shane Watson bottom-edged a pull back to Stuart Broad, while Tim Paine followed soon after to reduce the Aussies to 66/2.
Ricky Ponting got a start to his innings and looked good to go on to something bigger when he misjudged a short ball and pulled the Luke Wright delivery straight to fine-leg. At 86/3 in the 18th over and with Michael Clarke looking out of sorts, the English side would be having thoughts to scything through the batting. However, Clarke made an invaluable 87, and was ably supported by Mike Hussey (28) and James Hopes (34).
Australia’s problem was that they did not have anyone to really hit the ball hard in the closing overs, and with Clarke struggling to find his touch throughout, the side ended on 267/7; probably 20 runs short.
In reply, England lost their captain Andrew Strauss early, but a sound little second partnership took them to 75/1 in the 14th over. It was here that the complexion of the game changed as Pietersen cut a gentle loosener from Watson into the hands of Ponting, and then, Kieswetter and Paul Collingwood fell soon after for almost nothing. From 75/1 the English side were at 97/4 in the 20th over, and in trouble.
It was here that the side were rescued by their man in perpetual form, Eoin Morgan, and Luke Wright, who hasn’t had too many opportunities to bat. The pair got off slowly, but once they were in their elements, managed to get the runs fairly comfortably. Morgan went on to get to his century, and despite the Wright dismissal at 192, Bresnan had done enough to see the side through to a win.
Morgan’s 85-ball 103 saw him hit 16 fours, but not a single six and he was the worthy winner of the man of the match award.