Damien Martyn's century inspired Australia to a seven-run win over England and a place in the VB Series finals.

Martyn crashed 10 boundaries in his unbeaten 101 and shared in century stands with Michael Bevan and Jimmy Maher as Australia racked up 271 for four.

England openers Marcus Trescothick and Nick Knight responded with a 165-run stand that appeared to have set them up for victory.

But a commanding position was thrown away by a batting collapse followed by a shoddy performance in the field.

Anderson appeals for the wicket of Adam Gilchrist

England's bowlers sent down 22 wides compared to Australia's two while two important catches were dropped.

Australia had won the toss and elected to bat but pace bowler James Anderson set England off to a good start with two early wickets.

Adam Gilchrist was unlucky to be given out lbw after getting an inside edge and Ricky Ponting edged behind.

Steve Harmison took the third wicket with his second delivery as Matthew Hayden top-edged an attempted pull and the bowler took a juggling catch.

VB Series table

Australia P5 W4 L1 BP2 Pts22 England P5 W2 L3 BP1 Pts13 Sri Lanka P4 W1 L3 BP1 Pts7

But Harmison looked out of sorts, bowling five of his 11 wides in his first over.

Michael Bevan scored 52 despite being hit on the grille by Anderson and was eventually bowled trying to run a turning delivery from Ian Blackwell to third man.

Anderson should have had his third wicket soon after but Collingwood dropped a sitter at gully to give Martyn a reprieve on 51.

Bevan was hit on the face grille

Maher played well for his unbeaten 49 and Martyn reached his fourth one-day international ton off the last ball of the innings, hitting a leg-glance for four.

Trescothick (82) and Knight (85) got England off to a perfect start, storming to a century partnership as Glenn McGrath limped off with a back strain.

But Knight's wicket sparked a collapse that saw seven wickets fall for 99 runs.

Brad Hogg picked up three, including Owais Shah and Paul Collingwood in one over.

England captain Nasser Hussain tried to see his side over the winning line with a brave 43, but Shane Watson bowled him in the final over to seal the match for Australia.

Australia: RT Ponting (capt), AC Gilchrist, ML Hayden, DR Martyn, MG Bevan, B Lee, JP Maher, SR Watson, GB Hogg, AJ Bichel, GD McGrath.

England: N Hussain (capt), ME Trescothick, NV Knight, MP Vaughan, OA Shah, RC Irani, PD Collingwood, ID Blackwell, AJ Stewart, JM Anderson, AR Caddick.