MANCHESTER: Australia captain Michael Clarke's century was the cornerstone of his side's 315 for seven against England in the second one-day international at Manchester's Old Trafford on Sunday.

Clarke's 105, only his eight hundred in 229 matches at this level, came on the same ground where just over a month ago he made 187 in the drawn third Test against England.

He received excellent support from vice-captain George Bailey (82) in a fifth-wicket stand of 155 as Australia made their highest one-day international score against England in England, surpassing their 302 for six at Nottingham's Trent Bridge in 2009.

Ashes-holders England -- restling the likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann ahead of the return series 'Down Under' starting in November -- appeared to be a bowler light.

But with Australia looking as if they'd make well in excess of 300, former Ireland fast bowler Boyd Rankin pulled them back in by taking two wickets in two balls to dismiss Clarke and Matthew Wade before James Faulkner survived the hat-trick delivery.

Rankin finished with two for 49 from his maximum 10 overs, with off-spinner James Tredwell (one for 60 from eight overs), the most expensive member of England's attack.

England, after stand-in captain Eoin Morgan -- deputising for the rested Alastair Cook -- won the toss, needed just four balls to reduce Australia to nought for one when fast bowler Steven Finn had Shaun Marsh caught behind by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler as the left-hander tried to cut.

It was a far cry from the Australian first-wicket record of 246 shared by Marsh (151) and Aaron Finch (148) shared against Scotland on Tuesday.

Next ball it seemed Shane Watson had fallen in familiar fashion, lbw aiming across the line.

However, Watson signalled for a review and, after several minutes, third umpire Aleem Dar concluded the all-rounder had got a thin edge before the ball struck the pad.

But Watson was out on 38 to a reviewed decision after England had seen their original appeal for caught behind off medium-pacer Ravi Bopara turned down .

Finch's run-a-ball 45 ended when Tredwell, from round the wicket, had him driving straight to Joe Root at long-on.

That didn't stop Bailey lofting Tredwell straight for six before completing a 47-ball fifty -- and raising a century partnership too -- with his third six, off seam-bowling all-rounder Ben Stokes (none for 66).

Bailey's enterprising innings ended when he pulled Bopara to Tredwell at short fine leg.

Clarke may not have hit any sixes but his 14 fours included several well-struck drives, cuts and pulls.

Yet his 102-ball innings ended in ugly fashion, when he edged a swipe off Rankin to Buttler. Next ball, Wade played on and Australia were 283 for six in the 47th over.

Faulkner, however, saw Australia to 300 with a six in Rankin's last over. (AFP)