Martyn got to his 50 off only 35 deliveries, as Australia recovered from 34 for three to reach 120 for three at the halfway stage of their scheduled 50 overs.

Australia were set a paltry 170-run target but Sajid Mahmood struck a double blow for England just as the lights appeared to be going out on their chances. Fellow Lancashire fast bowler James Anderson also claimed a wicket to add some tension.

The Australians had charged to 30 without loss in the fourth over when one of the floodlights failed, forcing the players off the field for five minutes. But, with the first ball back after the interruption, Mahmood nipped a delivery back to send Adam Gilchrist's off-stump cartwheeling out of the ground.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting nicked low to slip where Andrew Strauss took a fine catch to further improve the mood. Anderson then bowled Shane Watson with a delivery which did not get up as high as the batsman expected.

However, Martyn dominated a fourth-wicket stand with Mike Hussey as the counter-attack dimmed English optimism with Steve Harmison proving expensive.

Earlier a calamitous collapse saw England lose 10 wickets for 86 runs, after a healthy opening stand between Andrew Strauss (56) and Ian Bell (43).