Cricket: England beat Australia by 15 runs to win 1st ODI

England beat Australia by 15 runs to win the first one-day international at Lord's here on Friday and so take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

England were indebted to Eoin Morgan's rapid 89 not out on his Middlesex home ground for taking them to 272 for five after losing the toss.

Australia, set 273 to win, finished on 257 for nine with captain Michael Clarke top-scoring with 61 and opener David Warner 56.

England's four seamers all took two wickets apiece, with a target of 21 off the last over proving too much for Australia's 10th wicket duo of Brett Lee (29 not out) and Xavier Doherty (six not out).

Victory meant England still had a chance of replacing their old rivals at the top of the one-day international rankings, although they would need a 5-0 series clean sweep to displace Australia at the summit.

The series continues across London at The Oval on Sunday.

Brief scores

England 272-5, 50 overs (E Morgan 89 no, J Trott 54)

Australia 257-9, 50 overs (M Clarke 61, D Warner 56)

Result: England won by 15 runs

Series: England lead five-match series 1-0