Prior and Trott drive aggressive England

Matt Prior's attacking half-century provided England with a stunning start as they raced to 2 for 151 after 25 overs in the fourth ODI in Adelaide. The visitors must win the match to avoid losing the seven-game campaign with three fixtures to play and Prior and Jonathan Trott combined to deliver some early pain to the Australians.

Prior, who didn't score in his past two innings, sped to 67 off 58 deliveries with a series of brutal pulls and drives, while Trott was a little more considered in his 55 from 74. The pair put on 113 at almost a run a ball for the second wicket following the early loss of Andrew Strauss.

Prior wasted little time in getting going, flicking a boundary behind square off the expensive Brett Lee in the first over, and he soon hit him for another strong shot on the up through cover. Doug Bollinger was also targeted by Prior, who struck two off-side fours before Trott played a delightful straight drive in an over costing 14.

Australia had a couple of run-out chances and the worst miss came when Prior and Trott ended up at the same end after Lee's ball was defended by Trott on to the base of the stumps. Lee followed through but his wild throw back to the bowler's end was wide and Trott survived on 30. Lee's embarrassment worsened next ball when Prior pulled him off the front foot for six to bring up his fifty as England moved to 100 after 15 overs. He had already welcomed Lee back for his second spell with a lofted off-drive for four.

Steven Smith, the legspinner, was expensive in his first over but picked up the key wicket of Prior in his second when he cut to point. Xavier Doherty, the left-arm spinner, made an encouraging start as he exploited the slow pitch.

Strauss won the toss and was responsible for England's rapid start as the visitors skipped to 24 in three overs. By that stage Strauss was already gone for 8 after edging an attempted cut behind off Lee. Lee's first over went for 12 after he started with five wides down the legside, and he had 1 for 43 off five.

James Anderson, a key figure in England's dominant Ashes success, is back in the side after some time back home and he is the man assigned with lifting the attack. Kevin Pietersen, who was 10 not out, also returned after missing the previous match with a groin problem.