13 Sep 2009

Lee destroys England batting

6:03 am on 13 September 2009

A five-wicket haul by Brett Lee handed Australia a 4-0 victory in their one-day cricket series against England.

Lee claimed 5-49 off nine overs at Lord's on Saturday to restrict the hosts to 220, while Australian opener Tim Paine scored his maiden international half-century in a seven-wicket win.

Paine hit 51 off 62 balls as the Australians reached 3-221 with 6.2 overs remaining.

Refreshed from his post-Ashes break, captain Ricky Ponting contributed 48, while deputy Michael Clarke was unbeaten on 62.

Not for the first time in the series it fell to Andrew Strauss to hold his side's innings together, but again the England skipper failed to capitalise after reaching 50.