Ricky Ponting returns to clinch one-day series at Lord's

Fourth one-day international at Lord's: Australia (221-3 off 43.4 overs) beat England (220) by seven wickets.

England were crushed by seven wickets in the fourth one-day international as Australia clinched the Natwest Series with their fourth successive victory.

The Australians, captained by the returning Ricky Ponting, took an unassailable 4-0 lead with a comfortable seven-wicket victory.

Once again it was England's under-performing batsmen who were at fault, with a score of 220 well short of par on a good surface and in glorious batting weather.

It is a worrying trend that Andrew Strauss' men cannot seem to shake and unless they do quickly they face the prospect of a 7-0 humiliation.

Captain Strauss hit 63 for the second match in a row and there was a uncomfortably familiar feel to the top order's demise as they slumped from 96 for one.

Plagued by an inability to impose themselves against the Australians - their average score in the series was 231 before this contest - England this time lost their last nine wickets for 124 runs.

Australia fast bowler Brett Lee produced a devastating performance to claim a five-wicket haul, and one which meant 21 balls went unused.

Having dismissed recalled opener Joe Denly with the new ball, Lee returned to clean bowl four other Englishmen and finish with figures of five for 49 from nine overs.

Wicketkeeper Tim Paine then struck a maiden international fifty, Michael Clarke hit an unbeaten 62 while Ponting fell for 48 as Australia coasted to their target with 6.2 overs to spare.

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