Eoin Morgan’s explosive late hitting powered England to 5-272 from their 50 overs in their one-day series opener against Australia at Lord’s.

The left-handed Irishman crunched an unbeaten 89 off 63 balls after the Australian attack had earlier done a good job of restricting the home side.

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 won eight of their past nine encounters.

After winning the toss, Michael Clarke sent England in under grey skies with passing showers holding up play in the opening hour.

Ian Bell used a review to overturn an lbw decision off Clint McKay’s bowling as he and Alastair Cook survived probing opening spells from Australia’s quicks in testing conditions.

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

The wicket put Lee level with Glenn McGrath on 380 one-day scalps for the nation.

Pat Cummins (1-53) had 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) trying to push the scoring rate but Morgan ensured a competitive total by slapping Brett Lee for consecutive sixes in the 47th over.

Morgan then lifted Watson over the square leg boundary to make it three sixes off three balls for him under bright blue skies.

David Warner showed his athleticism off the final ball of the innings to take a diving catch to dismiss Craig Kieswetter (25).