Sad England sunk by Marsh and Bollinger

In between England continued to hand wickets to the opposition as they did in the opening match in Melbourne. Jonathan Trott, having done the hard work to play himself in, pulled a Steve Smith long hop to midwicket and Ian Bell cut Lee to point as the chase limped to 96 for five.

Eoin Morgan had the pressure of another pursuit on his shoulders and when he launched a huge six over the stands at midwicket the visitors weren't out of the contest. Yet, not for the first time, the batting powerplay brought wickets and not runs as Morgan was superbly held by Shaun Tait running back from mid-on. From there the target always looked out of reach.

England should have been chasing a far smaller total but twice missed their chance to finish off Australia. The new ball reduced them to 33 for four but the visitors lacked another strike bowler to follow the main quicks in the absence of James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

Ajmal Shahzad made the early inroads when he removed the in-form Shane Watson, who hit an unbeaten 161 in the previous match at the MCG, and Brad Haddin via inside edges. Chris Tremlett, deemed surplus to World Cup requirements, helped maintain the pressure and the third wicket went to Bresnan when Michael Clarke's poor form continued as he drove a wide ball straight to cover.

Strauss was then forced to find 20 overs between Trott, Tredwell and Yardy, which allowed Marsh to rebuild the innings in style.

Marsh didn't make Australia's final 15 for next month's World Cup and is only covering for the injured Mike Hussey, who faces a race to be fit.

Australia's victory came at a price as Nathan Hauritz, the off-spinner, who was playing his first match since being controversially omitted from the Ashes, suffered what appeared to be as dislocated shoulder when he dived in the outfield.

He was helped off in serious pain and taken straight to hospital, but it didn't end there as Tait limped off in his sixth over with a muscle strain. Still, though, England couldn't get home.