Melbourne, Jan 14 (AFP) An Aaron Finch century was thecornerstone of an imposing Australian total in the first one-day international against England at the Melbourne CricketGround today.
After being sent in to bat by England captain EoinMorgan, the home side posted 304 for eight from their 50overs.
Finch's century was backed by fifties from Mitchell Marshand Marcus Stoinis as Australia recovered from a shaky startin which the tourists finally managed to get bogeyman SteveSmith cheaply.
Fresh from scoring three centuries as Australia won theAshes 4-0, Smith looked in commanding touch again as he scoredat better than a run a ball, but was caught behind from thebowling of spinner Adil Rashid for just 23.
Dangerman David Warner lasted just five balls -- and oneof those was a dropped catch -- in making two.
But burly opener Finch filled the void with a dashinghundred, his ninth in one-day internationals and fourthagainst England.
Finch set the tone when he hit two of the first threeballs he faced for four and struck the ball powerfully inmaking 107, smashing 10 fours and three sixes.
He brought up his century from the 112th ball he facedwith his third six, a huge hit over long on from the bowlingof Moeen Ali.
However, Ali got his revenge shortly afterwards, withFinch holing out to Jonny Bairstow at deep mid-wicket.
Finch survived a third umpire review on an LBW appealfrom the bowling of Rashid, and Ali also dropped a toughcaught-and-bowled chance when the right-hander was at 61.
Marsh continued his renaissance from the Test series with50 from 66 balls, but was bowled by a cleverly disguisedwrong'un from Rashid.
He put on 118 with Finch for the fourth wicket afterAustralia were in a little trouble at 78 for three followingthe dismissal of Travis Head for five.
Stoinis enjoyed his return to the Australian team with adashing 60 off just 40 balls, including five fours and twosixes.
Liam Plunkett claimed three wickets but went for 71 runsfrom his 10 overs, while Mark Wood was the most impressive ofthe English bowlers with the wicket of Warner in his return of1-49. (AFP)ATK.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.