Action from the first One Day International between Australia and England in the Blind Ashes
Neil Mackay

Australia leads the Blind Ashes series 1-0 after a big win over England in the first One Day International at Malvern College in Worcester overnight (May 30).

England won the toss and sent Australia in on a dry, flat wicket. They managed to keep the run rate hovering around eight runs per over but were unable to sustain any partnerships, slumping to 5-131.

From here, the experienced Nick Haydar steadied the innings with a fine 49. He teamed with Ray Moxly, who scored 48 in a ninth wicket partnership worth 79 runs, which enabled the Australians to reach 319 before being bowled out.

The England innings started with a wicket in the first over. After 12 overs they were 3/81 and they game was in the balance. Following a superb effort with the bat, Ray Moxly then turned the game on its head with the ball, claiming four wickets in one over to have England reeling at 7-88.

Opening bat, Andy Powers, briefly kept the English in the game with a fine innings of 118, but it was not enough to deny the Australians a fine 76 run victory.

Game Two will be played tonight (May 31). Should Australia win, it will give them an unbeatable lead in the best-of-three series. This means that they will also return home with the Ashes for the first time since the series was created in 1996.