Australia cruise to victory in first one-dayer

MELBOURNE, Jan 12 (Reuters) Australia beat England by eight wickets in the first one-day tri-series match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today.

Set a target of 243, Australia chased down the total with 4.4 overs to spare after opener Adam Gilchrist struck a rapid 60 and skipper Ricky Ponting a steady unbeaten 82 in front of a boisterous home crowd.

Even when Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden (29) departed within the space of a 17 runs at 118-2, Australia showed no trace of panic as they were guided home by Ponting and Michael Clarke (57 not out) with plenty in hand.

England's misery was compounded with news that star batsman Kevin Pietersen will miss the rest of the series after a Glenn McGrath delivery broke a rib on his right side.

England's total of 242-8 was indebted to a 91-ball knock of 82 from Pietersen while Andrew Flintoff hit an unbeaten 47 and Paul Collingwood 43 as they recovered from 73-3.

Australia play New Zealand in Hobart on Sunday in the second match of the series.

REUTERS PDS BST1654