Aussies in driving seat

Adam Gilchrist's latest assault left England facing defeat in the opening match of the Commonwealth Bank Series.

Gilchrist raced to 60 off only 61 balls before off-spinner Jamie Dalrymple found his edge and wicketkeeper Paul Nixon held the catch.

Matthew Hayden followed soon after when he advanced down the wicket to Monty Panesar and got a thin edge through to Nixon, leaving Australia on 102 for two chasing a victory target of 243.

To worsen England's mood star batsman Kevin Pietersen departed to a local hospital for scans on his ribs after being struck by a short ball from Glenn McGrath.

The 26-year-old (82) was hit on 73 and was left to grimace his way through his final deliveries as England posted 242 for eight.

Pietersen, currently rated the world's second-best batsman in one-day cricket, struck the ball cleanly and consistently to hit three sixes but perished when he heaved to deep midwicket off Stuart Clark.

Andrew Flintoff's muscular strokes alongside Pietersen threatened to boost the scoring rate further but their separation and the dismissals of veteran debutant Nixon and Dalrymple cheaply restricted the late progress.

Flintoff finished unbeaten on 47, from only 38 deliveries, having reverted to number six.