England on top at Chester-le-Street

Ian Bell and Alastair Cook replied seamlessly to Australia's 200 for nine as England scented a NatWest Series-sealing victory.

Steven Finn twice put himself on a hat-trick as England's potent seam attack took advantage of favourable conditions to restrict Australia - and as the pitch appeared to ease, Bell and Cook took the response to 65 for none in 15 overs.

Brett Lee and James Pattinson both struggled to find their range, allowing the England openers to ease past an unbroken half-century stand.

Bell escaped a half-chance on 21, edging through David Hussey's fingertips high over second slip off Pattinson, and Cook had 13 when Clint McKay was unable to hold a low return catch.

Finn (four for 37) had been lethal with the new and older ball, and Ravi Bopara's part-time medium-pace was unplayable at times as a high water table and initial cloud cover made for exaggerated sideways movement off the seam and occasionally in the air throughout the Australia innings.

Hussey (70) and Michael Clarke dug in manfully nonetheless, and their 50 stands with Lee and Shane Watson respectively mustered a total which was more substantial than had appeared likely.