HOBART, Jan 11 AAP - Damien Martyn hit a boundary from the last ball of the innings to set England a target of 272 in the one day international in Hobart today.

Australia recovered from the loss of three early wickets to reach 4-271 from its 50 overs, with Martyn 101 and Jimmy Maher 49.

After opting to bat, Australia was precariously placed early.

Adam Gilchrist went in the second over, another victim of a doubtful lbw decision.

Ricky Ponting belted Jimmy Anderson for a four and a six off successive balls and edged the next as he drove extravagantly.

When Matthew Hayden top edged an attempted pull back to Steve Harmison, Australia was 3-53.

Martyn and Michael Bevan put the innings back on track with a 118 run partnership.

The pair batted with few fireworks, but still kept the scoring around five an over, finding the gaps and punishing the odd loose ball.

However left arm spinner Ian Blackwell slowed the scoring and was rewarded when Bevan played on trying to glide for 52.

Maher, after a watchful start, lifted the scoring rate, his 49 coming from 49 balls and including four fours and a six.

Martyn looked like just missing his 100, but managed to turn Andy Caddick to the fine leg fence off the final ball. He faced 116 balls and hit 10 fours.

Blackwell and Jimmy Anderson, who took 2-40 from 10 overs, were England's best bowlers.