Cricket: England on verge of series win

CARDIFF - England are on the verge of claiming bragging rights over Australia in all three forms of cricket following their four-wicket one-day victory over the tourists in Cardiff.

Chasing 240 to win today, the home side reeled in the target with 28 balls to spare as Australia endured another forgettable outing at Sophia Gardens.

Cameron White (86no from 98 balls) and Doug Bollinger (3-46 from 10 overs) did their best with the bat and ball but England enjoyed a better spread of performers, led by paceman Stuart Broad (4-44 from 10 overs).

Man of the match in the opening game in Southampton, Eoin Morgan (52 off 64 balls), maintained his super start to the series and contributions from captain Andrew Strauss (51) and Paul Collingwood (48) proved enough in the wash-up.

Tim Bresnan (12no) and Graeme Swann (19no) were the men to push England over the line, Swann hitting McKay for six for the winning runs.

England, who won the 2009 Ashes series and last month's World Twenty20 final against Australia, lead the five-match series 2-0 before Sunday's game three in Manchester.

White guided Australia to 239 for seven from 50 overs after Ashes tormentor Broad worked his way through Australia's batting order to complete another torrid trip to Wales for the tourists.

The rot started in 2005 when Andrew Symonds turned up drunk for a one-day clash with Bangladesh but it was his teammates needing a stiff drink later that day after being upset by the cricket lightweights.

Memories of the picturesque ground weren't improved at last year's Ashes series opener in Cardiff as tailenders Monty Panesar and James Anderson survived the last 40 minutes for a draw.

The final series scoreline of England 2, Australia 1 only made that result more painful for the tourists.

For the second straight contest, Australia's batsmen were unable to manage any sustained period of dominance against the disciplined England bowling attack.

White, Shane Watson (57 off 59 balls) and Steve Smith (41 off 53 balls) provided Australia with some sort of total but it was not nearly enough for the inexperienced attack to defend, especially after losing paceman Ryan Harris pre-match to a groin injury.

Broad, who produced the series-deciding spell in last year's Ashes series at The Oval, regularly punched holes in Australia's batting lineup to ensure a modest total for his batsmen.

Watson handed Australia a brisk start but opening partner Tim Paine 16 (29) had a tough time, copping a nasty Tim Bresnan short ball on his finger before feathering a catch down the leg side off Broad.

The blond speedster was much more deserving of his second scalp, troubling Ricky Ponting (13) and luring the skipper in with a teasing ball.

Strauss turned the heat up on Michael Clarke (1), successfully employing the rare tactic in one-dayers of a short leg with the vice captain popping up a catch from a Broad short ball to Swann.

White enjoyed a slice of luck on three when he was caught behind off a Luke Wright no-ball.

In response, an aggressive Strauss launched the recalled McKay for a straight six in the second over as he chased a quick kill.

Craig Kieswetter (8) fell to Bollinger and Kevin Pietersen (33) to a brilliant one-handed catch from Ricky Ponting at midwicket.

Tweaker Nathan Hauritz deceived Strauss and Collingwood chopped on for Bollinger's second scalp but it still looked well in hand for the hosts.

Luke Wright (10) departed with 29 needed off 62 balls and then Bollinger removed Morgan to make it 3-19 for England in 21 balls, and a few nerves must have started creeping back into the English dressing room.

- AAP