VB Series first final, Sydney: Australia 118-0 (12.2) beat England 117 all out (41 overs) by 10 wickets

ENGLAND'S VB Series hopes were left in tatters after Australia cruised to a 10-wicket win in the opening game of the best-of-three finals in Sydney.

Having bowled the tourists out for a paltry 117, Australian openers Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden took just 12.2 overs to finish the job.

It was the second-fastest second innings in one-day international history - India's victory over Kenya in Bloemfontein a year ago took five fewer balls.

Gilchrist crashed an unbeaten 67 from 37 balls with 15 boundaries, while Hayden hit the only six of the innings in making 45 from as many deliveries.