SOUTHAMPTON — Australia, bidding to avenge its defeat in the Ashes Test series earlier in the tour, went 1-0 up in the One-Day International encounter when it beat England by 59 runs here Thursday. Australia chalked up 305 for six after captain Steve Smith won the toss and elected to bat. Smith (44), David Warner (59) and Joe Burns (44) all made important contributions at the top of the Australian order before wicketkeeper Matthew Wade provided a late flurry of runs. Wade smashed an unbeaten 71 in 50 balls and was given valuable support by Mitchell Marsh (40 not out). Leg-spinner Adil Rashid was the pick of the home attack, taking four for 59 in 10 overs. Jason Roy and Alex Hales then gave England a flying start in reply, surging to 70 for nought before the latter was caught by Shane Watson off Marsh for 22. Roy went on to compile 67 in 64 deliveries but Australia chipped away with regular wickets before skipper Eoin Morgan, Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes fell in the space of four balls as the hosts collapsed from 194 for four to 194 for seven. England was eventually bowled out for 246. The second game in the five-match series is at Lord's Saturday. — Reuters
