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David Malan’s fine century was in vain as Australia cruised to a six-wicket victory over England in their first One Day International match at Adelaide Oval on Thursday.
Malan hit an elegant 134 as England made 287-9, but didn’t look enough on a flat batting track that did nothing for the bowlers.
Australia were largely untroubled as they hit the target with 3.1 overs remaining.
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“It was an amazing performance, a team performance,” said Australian captain Pat Cummins.
“We came here really fresh and we’re keen to come back.”
The Australian openers had made England’s attack light and they were in control from the start with David Warner and Travis Head launching an all-out attack.
They put up a partnership of the century in just 88 balls, with Olly Stone only being able to contain two left-handers.
Neither were in danger until Head pulled a short ball from Chris Jordan straight to Phil Salt in the deep square to drop to 69.
Warner looked headed for his first century in nearly three years until his 86 pulled David Wylie into the air and was well caught by Sam Billings in a deep backyard.
But Steve Smith, not yet over 80, was unfazed as he took Australia home despite losing Marnus Labuschagne for four and Alex Carey for 21 along the way.
“We’ve got a lot of Test cricket coming up, to see Smithy play like that was really fun,” Cummins said.
Cummins won the toss and chose to kneel, and England were soon in trouble at 20-2 after four overs before Malan went on to the crease.
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When he left, they were 259-8 with the second highest score being Joss Butler’s 29.
The England captain, who raised the Twenty20 side four days earlier Globalism At the MCG Cup, he said he wasn’t worried about the outcome.
“It’s all about the character we showed,” he said.
“We wanted to play with intent. Dawid Malan played great innings and it was great to get to that result from the position we were in.”
Mallan’s 134, his second ODI century after the 125 he scored against the Netherlands in June, came from 128 deliveries, including 12 fours and four sixes.
Cummins, playing his first match as captain after the retirement of Aaron Finch, would have been pleased with Australia’s start to the innings.
They hooked the England opening pair with some tight lines and long bowling, then made a double penetration.
Cummins caught Phil Salt at second slip by Smith on the last ball of the fourth, after which Mitchell Stark bowled two balls to Jason Roy who was called on with a lovely late swing delivery.
The Australia captain then put his side ahead when James Vince got the better of goalkeeper Alex Carey.
At 31-3 England were struggling but Mallan kept his cool, starting slowly and then picking up pace as the ball fell off the shine.
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