David Hussey struck a vital half-century to take Australia to 9-200 from their 50 overs in the must-win fourth one-day international against England at Durham on Saturday.

Hussey came in with his team struggling on 4-68 and although he was dropped twice, he still managed 70 from 73 balls in difficult batting conditions after England fast bowler Steven Finn had decimated Australia’s top order.

England, leading the five-match series 2-0, reduced Australia to 2-6 after winning the toss as Finn had David Warner and Peter Forrest lbw in consecutive balls.

Shane Watson played on to Tim Bresnan for 28, George Bailey was bowled for nine and skipper Michael Clarke was bowled by Finn for 43 in 85 balls.

It will be difficult to judge Australia’s total until England face the tourists’ all-seam attack.

But Hussey’s innings seemed to give his side a competitive total to defend.

He received useful support late on from Brett Lee, who made 27 and added 70 with Hussey.

Earlier, Warner took 16 balls to score his first run, as Finn bowled with accuracy and penetration.

His uncomfortable stay came to an end when he was lbw for two, but only after England reviewed umpire Nigel Llong’s ‘not out’ decision.

It was the start of a double wicket maiden for Finn.

The review showed the ball would have hit middle stump halfway up.

Forrest departed first ball when Finn jagged a ball back into him and struck him on the knee-roll.

Clarke survived the hat-trick ball, though it took 35 minutes into the match before Australia scored their first boundary, when Clarke stroked a Finn full-toss through the covers.

Their position could have been much worse if point fielder Eoin Morgan had not dropped a dolly from Clarke, when on eight.

Australia eased the pressure by taking 14 runs off Stuart Broad’s second over as Clarke and Watson put on 51, but it took Hussey’s contribution to at least give the Australians something to bowl at.

He was caught at long off in the final over, seeking a third straight boundary off Bresnan. Finn finished with figures of 4-37, after England had dropped four catches.