Australia clinch first ODI

Australia Deaf continued to sweep all before them against England with a five-wicket victory in the first of four one-day internationals.

The tourists have already retained the Ashes with a stalemate in the two-match series and followed this up with a Twenty20 victory against the same opponents.

Australia’s ODI victory came after England threw away a strong position with some suicidal running at Walmley CC in Warwickshire.

The hosts won the toss and started brightly as Umesh Valjee and Chris Hughes compiled an opening stand of 75 to see of the new ball before Hughes went for 29.

Mike O'Mahony continued his good form with another half-century but a sharp single saw Valjee run out, the first of four Kym Daley victims, for a superb 64.

O'Mahony was also run out for 50 as the innings went into freefall as a strong 135 for one became a desperate 170 six.

Daley hit the stumps four times as the England batsmen insisted on taking on his arm. He also cleaned up the tail with the ball to limit England to 215 in 47.3 overs.

In reply, Paul Welch went early but Grant Thomson and Nick Watkins moved the total to 83 when James Dixon bowled Thomson for 43.

Andrew Watkins survived a routine chance early in his innings and made the most of his good fortune to anchor the visitors to victory.

Nick Watkins was trapped in front for 41 and Luke Trudgett caught for 15 but Andrew found a reliable partner in Terry Hall as they moved towards a comfortable victory.

Hall fell for 29 just before the winning run was hit to leave Watkins 55 not out with nearly three overs to spare.

Scorecard - England Deaf v Australia Deaf, 1st ODI, June 21 2008 (39 KB)