Steady start from England

Alastair Cook, pictured, and Ian Bell shared a bright first-wicket stand of 57 against Australia
8 June 2013

England made a positive start before losing captain Alastair Cook in their Champions Trophy opener against Australia at Edgbaston.

With the shadow of the Ashes also looming large, both sides were keen to make an impact and England had the better of the opening exchanges as Cook (30) and Ian Bell (31 not out) shared a bright first-wicket stand of 57.

With little obvious assistance for the bowlers, that partnership could have been much bigger had Shane Watson not cut Cook's stay short in the 12th over. After 15 overs England were 68 for one - a solid foundation.

The hosts sprung a surprise at the toss, revealing that Graeme Swann was suffering a back complaint and leaving out Steven Finn. James Tredwell took the spinner's spot, while Tim Bresnan and Ravi Bopara balanced the attack in Finn's absence.

The first ball of the match - and, effectively, the Ashes summer - was productive for the hosts, Cook helping Mitchell Starc's loosener round the corner for four. But there was almost trouble in the second over as Bell and Cook's running went awry and both wound up at the same end.

Luckily, the throw was fired in to the wrong set of stumps, where a ricochet allowed England to pick up two overthrows instead of suffering a run-out.

Bell took an early liking to Starc's line, nailing a pair of pleasing cover drives to the ropes, and the 23-year-old was taken off after his first two overs cost 15 runs. His replacement, Clint McKay, quickly found Bell's edge but the ball fell just short of slip.

Mitchell Johnson, sporting a new haircut, enjoyed a good start but conceded a first boundary midway through his fourth over when Cook threaded him through extra-cover.

The boundaries kept England's run-rate high and Bell brought up the fifty in the 10th over when he belted Watson's first ball back down the ground.

It was something of a surprise when Watson broke the partnership at his next visit, Cook nicking an attempted drive straight to Matthew Wade.

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