Steve Finn was unable to take a wicket as England began their Tri-Series campaign with a three-wicket defeat against Australia in Sydney.

The Watford-born Middlesex paceman opened England’s bowling with Chris Woakes (four for 40 off 80 overs) and finished with figures of nought for 48 off his eight overs as the hosts surpassed England’s 234 all out with more than ten overs to spare at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Although England’s total was less than they would have hoped for after winning the toss and electing to bat, they did well to recover after being in terrible trouble early in their innings.

Mitchell Starc struck twice in the first three balls to trap Ian Bell (0) and James Taylor (0) both leg before wicket as Eoin Morgan’s men slumped to nought for two. That soon became 12 for three when Joe Root (5) edged Pat Cummins (one for 49 off 9 overs) to slip. And by the time Moeen Ali (22) and Ravi Bopara (13) had departed, England were staring down the barrel at 69 for five.

However, captain Morgan saved his side from embarrassment with a superb 121 to lift England to 234 when Finn (0) was the last man out, becoming the fourth of Starc’s (four for 42 off 8.5 overs) victims.

Although Woakes and Chris Jordan (one for 33 off six overs) accounted for Aaron Finch (15) and Shane Watson (16), England were unable to claim the increasingly prized scalp of David Warner and he went on to make a match-winning 127 as England suffered their 18th defeat in 25 One Day Internationals against Test-playing nations.

Finn could have accounted for Finch, but he put down a sharp caught and bowled chance. There was also a worrying moment for the former Parmiter's School pupil when his ankle gave way during a delivery stride, but he was able to continue bowling with no apparent ill-effects.

England now move on to Brisbane where they will play India in the early hours of Tuesday morning UK time at The Gabba.