The return of Brett Lee's pace and Andrew Symonds' powerful hitting made all the difference to Australia who made a big statement of intent in defeating England by 57 runs in the day-night match at Chester le Street.

Symonds had received a two-match ban for partying late before Saturday's game at Cardiff, but after top-scoring with 73 from 81 balls in a total of 266-5, he might be allowed a quiet drink by his captain Ricky Ponting.

Lee, meanwhile, returned from injury to inject blistering pace into what had looked, in his absence, a one-paced seam attack. Along with Glenn McGrath he gave the England top order a real working over. After the pair had taken three wickets for six runs in only six overs, the game was as good as over.

Lee bowled mainly at Andrew Strauss, probing his weakness to full balls by firing inswinging yorkers at his defence. At such pace his accuracy was extraordinary and Strauss finally succumbed for three having faced 13 balls.

At the other end Marcus Trescothick was struggling to get a run off McGrath, wafting airily outside off before nicking an away-cutter in his flat-footed fashion. He had faced 15 balls for a duck and, by the time Paul Collingwood (0) had chopped on two balls later, England were in desperate trouble.

Andrew Flintoff (44) and Vikram Solanki (34) stabilised the innings with a partnership of 79, but only Flintoff showed rare signs of dominance. Solanki became frustrated at the slow scoring and played a loose drive to Bradley Hogg. His wicket brought Kevin Pietersen to the crease with England requiring 182 runs to win at 7.2 runs an over, a chase that would have been miraculous even by his lofty standards.

It was not to be. Flintoff was out for the second match in a row slogging Hogg straight down the ground and Pietersen, after a flurry of boundaries, hoiked the same bowler to the midwicket boundary where Mike Hussey took a comfortable catch.

Pietersen's dismissal signalled the end of English's slim chance of winning, but it didn't stop Darren Gough entertaining the crowd with a pugnacious display of hitting that made him England's top scorer with a career-best 46* from 47 balls in a last-wicket partnership of 50 with Steve Harmison (11*). It gave a more respectable look to England's total.

In contrast to England, Australia had started strongly against the new ball, especially against the youthful Chris Tremlett, who strayed in line. After five overs they stood at 32-0 but to England's credit they bowled well to restrict Australia to well under 300.

Harmison was treated warily by the Australians and got the better of a fascinating duel with Ricky Ponting; Gough bowled a series of superb yorkers at the death and Ashley Giles' control of a leg-stump line was reflected in his opening spell of five overs for 14 runs.

Against such bowling a lesser side would not have managed such a competitive score. But Symonds' awesome power, especially in driving Giles and Harmison, and Martyn's ability to score quickly without taking risks for his 81-ball 68 rebuilt the Australian innings after three quick wickets had fallen.

England: ME Trescothick (capt), AJ Strauss, VS Solanki, PD Collingwood, A Flintoff, KP Pietersen, GO Jones, AF Giles, D Gough, SJ Harmison, CT Tremlett.

Australia: RT Ponting (capt), AC Gilchrist, ML Hayden, DR Martyn, A Symonds, MEK Hussey, SR Watson, GB Hogg, B Lee, JN Gillespie, GD McGrath.

23 Jun, 2005