With the Twenty20 series shared 1-1, Australia and England lock horns again in the first of seven one-day internationals in Melbourne - their last ODIs before the World Cup begins in Asia in February
England surprisingly leave out all-rounder Paul Collingwood, their most-capped ODI player. Luke Wright is also omitted as England recall Kevin Pietersen, Michael Yardy, Ajmal Shahzad and Chris Tremlett to the ODI side
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the very first ODI at the MCG in January 1971, the Channel 9 commentators enter into the 1970s spirit
Ex-Hampshire captain Mark Nicholas (wearing a wig and sideburns) is joined for the toss by the captains, who don headbands - England win the toss and bat first
Captain Andrew Strauss's opening partner Steven Davies has a let-off when he looks set to be run out by yards without facing a ball, but Steve Smith's backhand throw misses the stumps from close range
As well as the run-out chance, Davies leads a charmed life in the early overs as Brett Lee has him "caught" off a no-ball, before Shane Watson puts down a hard chance at cover
The two left-handers make hay in the Melbourne afternoon sunshine, adding 90 for the first wicket in 12 overs as Strauss compiles his 25th ODI fifty
But Davies and Jonathan Trott both fall to the part-time off-spin of David Hussey, while Strauss is caught at mid-wicket to leave England 131-3 in the 21st over
Kevin Pietersen takes a typically aggressive approach to his innings, but Australia are hindered by some poor wicketkeeping from Brad Haddin, who misses three stumping chances
Although Pietersen smashes David Hussey for two huge sixes, he loses partners at regular intervals as leg-spinner Steve Smith accounts for Ian Bell and Eoin Morgan
England start to get bogged down as Michael Yardy takes 21 balls to score nine, before Pietersen is run out for 78 with six overs left as Mitchell Johnson uses his soccer skills to side-foot the ball onto the stumps
England can usually rely on Tim Bresnan for some clean hitting in the last few overs, and the Yorkshireman does not disappoint, smashing four boundaries in his 28 from 27 balls
Australia make history by using the Decision Review System for the first time in an ODI when they think they have Tremlett caught behind; they are unsuccessful, but England are all out for 294 with two balls to spare
Hard-hitting opener Shane Watson gets Australia off to a good start, and without Paul Collingwood in the side, England have a rather limited range of bowling options with only five front-line bowlers
But Watson escapes when he attempts a lofted drive and the back-pedalling Jonathan Trott misjudges the catch at mid-on; Australia are well set and England delay taking the fielding powerplay
Brad Haddin, looking to make amends for a sloppy display behind the stumps, offers Watson decent support as they add 110 together - but holes out for 39 when he lofts Graeme Swann to Ajmal Shahzad at deep square leg
Watson is joined by captain Michael Clarke - and although Watson's big hitting thrills the crowd, Clarke's slow scoring begins to earn him a few boos
Watson is soon celebrating his fifth ODI century, and is in prime form as he launches left-arm spinner Michael Yardy for successive sixes
Paul Collingwood, England's most-capped one-day international player, finds himself in the unfamiliar role of carrying the drinks in an ODI, though he later gets on as a substitute fielder
Clarke eventually departs for a scratchy 36 from 71 balls, and Steve Smith - promoted to number four - makes five before being caught at backward point, but they cannot dislodge Watson from the other end
Mike Hussey makes a rapid 21, while Cameron White is then dropped by the unfortunate Trott, who was left to rue his misjudged attempt to catch Watson in the 10th over
Fittingly, it is man of the match Watson who wins the match by hitting the first ball of the last over for his fourth six, to finish on 161 not out - Australia's fifth highest individual ODI score, as they take a 1-0 lead
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