Eoin Morgan's rapid 89 not out laid the platform for England's 15-run win over arch-rivals Australia in the first one-day international at Lord's here.
Yesterday's victory kept alive England's hopes of replacing their oldest foes as the world's top-ranked one-day side and of being number one in all three formats, although they need to sweep this campaign 5-0 to knock Australia off their 50-over perch.
England were struggling when left-hander Morgan, on his Middlesex home ground, came in at 121 for three.
But the former Ireland international, the man-of-the-match, broke the shackles with a 63-ball innings featuring four sixes and five fours to propel England to 272 for five.
He shared stands of 68 with Jonathan Trott (54) and 83 with Craig Kieswetter (25) after Australia had won the toss.
"Conditions were very tough, I thought 277 was par, but we bowled really well," Morgan told the BBC.
"It's been a big turnaround for me since the start of the year and I'm very pleased," said Morgan, currently out of England's Test side.
Australia, chasing 273 for victory, saw captain Michael Clarke top-score with 61 after opener David Warner had made 56.
But England's bowlers were largely on top, with their four seamers all taking two wickets apiece.
Asked if Morgan had been the difference, Clarke replied: "He played really well, that's for sure. He deserves a lot of credit, he helped England get to a very good total and it was too good for us unfortunately.
"We probably didn't execute our skills at 'the death' as well as we could have. I think they took 80-odd off the last 10 overs. And then we lost wickets at important stages of the game where we needed blokes to go on and make big scores."
Australia opener Shane Watson fell for just 12 when he was caught behind off Middlesex fast bowler Steven Finn, although England had to review Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar's original not out decision.
