Cricket: Australia beat England convincingly

MELBOURNE - Captain Ricky Ponting and opener Adam Gilchrist shared a record partnership to set Australia up for an 89-run win over England in the triangular one-day series.

Australia's total of 318 for six from their 50 overs on Sunday was their highest against England, beating the previous best of 283 for five in Brisbane in 1990-91.

Ponting hit 119 from 123 balls, his 10th one-day century, while Gilchrist made 124, his eighth, from 104 balls.

The pair added 225 for the second wicket from 206 balls, beating Australia's previous best for any partnership in one-day internationals.

Opener Nick Knight, who scored a century in the first match of the series against Australia, struck 70 but three run-outs did not help England's cause as they were eventually dismissed for 229 in the 48th over.

England, who lost both their opening matches against Australia, will be looking to record their first win of the tour against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.