England have defeated Australia by 15 runs in the first game of the five-ODI series.

In a rain-interrupted morning, England batted first and despite slow but steady early progress, eventually managed a strong total of 272 with five wickets to spare.

It was looking like a low total until Eoin Morgan took to the crease, the Irishman hitting a rapid-fire unbeaten 89 to take England to a defendable lead.

Australia's attack finished with a wicket apiece from their overs.

Australia's response started very strongly, with the visitors reaching 50-1 off just 10 overs.

While they were never really completely on top of the target, they still had five wickets to spare with 15 overs left, but still with 121 to win.

The spin of Graeme Swann kept the score down and the wickets started to tumble as the hosts chased the England total, the tail falling 15 runs short in the end.

Click here for a blow-by-blow account of the encounter as it happened.