Australia succumbed to the explosive hitting of Eoin Morgan and England’s four-pronged pace attack in their one-day series opener at Lord’s.

Man of the match Morgan smacked an unbeaten 89 off 63 balls to help set Australia 273 for victory and the touring side slid to a 15-run loss before Sunday’s clash at The Oval.

Michael Clarke (61) and David Warner (56) did their best in the run chase but required more from their teammates.

England can overtake Australia as the No.1 one-day team with a 5-0 series whitewash.

Brett Lee (1-57) equalled Glenn McGrath’s record for the most one-day international wickets for Australia but, like many of his teammates, was slapped around by Morgan late in the innings.

England entered the series on the back of six straight one-day series wins at home although Australia had won eight of their previous nine encounters.

Clarke sent England in under grey skies and Ian Bell (40) used a review to overturn an lbw decision off Clint McKay’s bowling.

With the clouds parting and total on 74, the openers looked set for big scores but Lee trapped Bell (41) in front.

That put Lee level with McGrath on 380 one-day scalps.

Pat Cummins (1-53) had captain Alastair Cook (40) caught behind four overs later and sent a bouncer crashing into the back of Ravi Bopara’s (15) helmet.

Just when his head might have stopped throbbing, McKay squared up Bopara with Clarke taking the catch at first slip.

Jonathan Trott (54) was bowled by Xavier Doherty (1-50) but Morgan ensured a healthy total by slapping Lee for consecutive sixes in the 47th over.

After Shane Watson (12) fell early to Steve Finn (2-47) in the reply, Australia cruised to 1-96 in the 19th over before James Anderson removed George Bailey (29) and David Warner (56) in consecutive overs.

The tide appeared to be turning England’s way when David Hussey (13) had a Finn short ball hit him on the shoulder and deflect off his helmet onto the stumps.

The runs completely dried up as Steve Smith (8) fended at a Tim Bresnan ball.

Clarke and Matthew Wade (27) resurrected hopes with a 57-run stand before a mix-up ended in the wicketkeeper sacrificing his wicket.

Bresnan, who dropped a return catch with Clarke on 16, started finding reverse swing in the final overs and curled a ball in that trapped Clarke in front.

It was always to be a big ask from Australia from then on despite Lee’s (29no) best efforts.