FIH World Cup 2010
Dates: 28 February - 13 March Venue: Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Delhi
Coverage: Daily video highlights of all games at bbc.co.uk/sport (Available to all users); reports on every England match

England beat Australia 3-2 to secure their first win over the Kookaburras since 1985 and open their World Cup campaign in style in India.

Jamie Dwyer gave Australia the lead but set-piece expert Ashley Jackson soon levelled the Pool B match in Delhi.

James Tindall put England ahead before half-time from a short corner.

Tindall followed up to score off a post and make it 3-1 and although Dwyer pulled one back, England held on thanks to an heroic defensive display.

Going into the game Australia had won 28 of the last 33 matches between the two sides, with five draws.

I think it's a measure of how much this team has progressed that we can play poorly and beat Australia England manager Andy Halliday

But England, whose most recent win over their Ashes rivals had come on grass in Melbourne in 1985, produced a superb rearguard action to sink the 2009 Champions Trophy winners and pre-tournament favourites.

The Kookaburras had 12 penalty corners and 28 shots on target but Cannock goalkeeper James Fair excelled, while England were ruthless in netting twice from three penalty corners.

Manager Andy Halliday praised the efforts of Fair and his penalty corner defence team, but admitted his side had been outplayed.

"It was a fantastic result but the performance could have been so much better," said Halliday.

"I think it's a measure of how much this team has progressed that we can play poorly and beat Australia.

"James Fair and the penalty corner defence were outstanding. We'll certainly not get carried away just because we have won game one."

England's next match is on Tuesday against South Africa, who started their World Cup campaign with a 4-2 defeat by Olympic silver medallists Spain.

Hosts India won their opening Pool B match 4-1 against arch-rivals Pakistan.

Following reports of threats against the World Cup from terrorists, New Delhi's Dhyan Chand Stadium was guarded by nearly 19,000 security personnel to protect players, officials and spectators within a three kilometre radius of the venue.

Paramilitary commandos and a bomb-disposal squad were part of the multiple security cordons inside and around the stadium.

England: Fair, Hawes, Mantell, Smith, Wilson, Jackson, Kirkham, Moore, Mackay, Middleton (capt), Tindall.

Substitutes: Alexander, Brogdon, Catlin, Clarke, Dixon.

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