White's Australians find catalyst for ODIs

The Australian captain Cameron White says their four-run T20 win over England will give Australia confidence for the 50-over series.

Brett Lee, second from left, got the job done with his bowling at the death for Australia.

Cameron White is optimistic that Australia's success in yesterday's Twenty20 clash with England in Melbourne can be the catalyst for a strong performance in the impending seven-match one-day international series between the two sides.

The Australians came through by four runs to level their two-match T20 series with England at 1-1 after an impressive display with the ball and in the field as they successfully defended a score of 147 for seven.

"It's going to give us some confidence, hopefully," White said. "They say catches win matches don't they, and the boys fielded well."

It had not looked good for the home side initially as England had looked set to cruise to victory when they were 58 without loss after six overs in their run chase, with opener Ian Bell on form.

But England's quest to extend their record unbeaten T20 streak to nine matches, having defeated Australia on the last ball of Wednesday's game in Adelaide, came unstuck as their middle order failed to deliver.

It was paceman Mitchell Johnson (3-29) who turned the match on its head.

Johnson claimed the vital wicket of Bell (39) when the right-hander dragged a ball onto his stumps in the seventh over to end an opening stand of 60.

The left-hander then followed up by having Kevin Pietersen caught for one three balls later.

Johnson also removed the dangerous Eoin Morgan for 14, while Shane Watson backed up his brilliant effort in Wednesday's match with a two for 17 from four overs.

With 13 runs needed off the last three balls from Brett Lee, the young England all-rounder Chris Woakes threatened to repeat his heroics on Wednesday when he lofted the paceman into the stands to leave seven needed from two. But Lee got the job done as Australia ended a run of five successive losses in T20 games.

Man of the match Aaron Finch, playing in only his second international, hit 53 not out from 33 balls for the home side.

The first ODI is in Melbourne tomorrow.