England beat Australia to win one-day series

SYDNEY, Feb 11 (Reuters) England defeated Australia by 34 runs in a rain-shortened match at the Sydney Cricket Ground today to win the tri-series one-day international tournament.

England followed up their thrilling four-wicket win in Melbourne on Friday to wrap up the best-of-three finals series with a game to spare and salvage some pride after losing the Ashes 5-0.

Paul Collingwood continued his golden run of form with the bat with a defiant 70 to help England reach 246 for eight from their 50 overs.

Australia were set a revised total of 211 off 33 overs to win after the match was interrupted by four rain delays but could only muster 152-8 when the foul weather stopped play a fifth time and England were awarded victory under the Duckworth-Lewis system.

REUTERS DH KN1741