Australia routed England by 111 runs in their World Cup opener at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in front of almost 85,000 fans on Saturday.
England, chasing a winning target of 343, were bowled out for 231 after Mitchell Marsh took five five for 33.
The game ended with James Taylor unbeaten on 98.
Earlier, Aaron Finch cashed in after being dropped before he had scored to plunder the first century of the World Cup as Australia scored their highest ODI total against England of 342 for nine.Seamer Steven Finn took the 2015 World Cup’s first hat-trick with the last three balls of the innings but that was a meagre consolation for Eoin Morgan’s side.
England rued Chris Woakes putting down Finch before he’d scored at mid-wicket off the fifth ball of the innings, from James Anderson, as the dynamic opener went on to score 135 off 128 balls.
Earlier, England skipper Eoin Morgan won the toss and elected to bowl against Australia in their World Cup opener at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.
England brought in Gary Ballance for Ravi Bopara while Australia left out spinner Xavier Doherty, preferring spinning all-rounder Glenn Maxwell.
Morning rain cleared to sunny skies for the start of the match with the MCG slowly filling towards an anticipated 90,000 full house.
“We were looking to bat, so we’re very happy,” said Australia captain George Bailey. “It looks a great wicket, and will be for the entire game and hopefully we will do well.”
Morgan added: “It shouldn’t change through the game but a bit of storm came through so maybe there’s a bit of moisture as well. Ballance is in, batting at No. 3. Ravi’s out. We’ve gone for the extra batter today.
“Everybody has been excited for this for some time now, so it will actually be a matter of holding guys back.”
Australia are peaking at the right time for a crack at their fifth World Cup triumph and have only lost one of their last 12 ODIs against all-comers.
England, chasing a maiden World Cup title, head into the tournament with fresh painful memories of three losses to the Australians, including a crushing 112-run defeat in the recent tri-series final. Morgan’s team have to turn around a wretched record of two wins from their last 15 ODI encounters in Australia.
The last of England’s three losing World Cup finals was in Australia in 1992. – AFP/BSS
