31 Jan 2011

Aussie cricketers wrap up series

6:03 am on 31 January 2011

The Australian cricketers have wrapped up a one-day series victory over England with two games to spare after a 51-run win in the fifth match at the Gabba in Brisbane.

Michael Clarke's team took an unassailable 4-1 lead in the seven-match series after hitting 249 and then bowling out the visitors for 198.

Clarke says it's great to come back after losing the Ashes test series and it shows a lot of courage.

He says they still see a lot of room for improvement so the next couple of games are very important ahead of the World Cup.

Clarke ended his poor run of scores with a half century while the tail provided a late flurry to help the home side.

Pace pair Brett Lee and Doug Bollinger reduced England to 22 for three before Kevin Pietersen (40) and Ian Bell (36) combined for a 73-run partnership.

However England self destructed when they still had plenty of overs remaining.