Century stand puts tourists on top

Trailing 5-0 in the seven-match campaign, England are in need of a face-saving win to avoid a whitewash and got the start they wanted when Anderson removed Shane Watson and Ricky Ponting inside the opening 10 overs.

But led by Paine, playing just his seventh one-day international, Australia were on course to post a big target, reaching the 30-over mark at 149 for two.

The 24-year-old Tasmanian had started slowly but was closing in on a maiden ODI century having scored 84 while Hussey had effortlessly progressed to 40.

Their century stand, which came from 113 balls, was risk-free as, aside from Anderson, England's bowlers lacked any real threat.

Anderson captured the first of his two early breakthroughs when Watson (four) attempted to cut a ball too close to his body and dragged on to his leg stump.

That brought Ponting to the crease fresh from his 126 on Tuesday night and the skipper started from where he left off, getting off the mark with an authoritative pull shot to the rope.

He tried to repeat the dose off Anderson soon after, but his well-timed shot flew straight to Ryan Sidebottom on the square-leg boundary to see him depart for just six.

It meant Anderson had taken two wickets in 16 balls after managing as many in the series before Thursday.

The tourists reached the conclusion of the first powerplay on 41 for two with some tight bowling from the hosts, especially Anderson who had two for 16 from his first five overs, keeping them in check.