Former Ireland star Eoin Morgan blasted a superb century as England claimed a four-wicket win over Australia in the first NatWest Series one-day international at the Rose Bowl in Southampton tonight.
Michael Clarke’s highest one-day international score against England helped Australia post a challenging total of 267 for seven.
Clarke hit seven fours from 97 balls in his unbeaten 87 to help the visitors recover from losing four top-order wickets for only 46 runs.
The vice-captain shared stands of 70 with Mike Hussey and then 57 with James Hopes for the fifth and sixth wickets — gradually increasing the tempo until 78 runs came off the final 10 overs.
But Australia did not account for Morgan. The Dublin-born 23-year-old, who last month helped England beat Australia to win the World Twenty20 tournament in the Caribbean, was in supreme form with 103 off 85 balls to lead the hosts to a comfortable victory with four overs to spare.