Australia speedster Brett Lee [Images] gave the world champions a flying start to their Ashes tour on Thursday by capturing a wicket with the opening delivery of the first game.

Lee, unable at the moment to command a place in the Test side although only Pakistan's temperamental Shoaib Akhtar [Images] rivals him for raw pace, was given the honour of bowling the first over in Australia's Twenty20 match against the Professional Cricketers Association Masters XI.

Framed against the idyllic background of Arundel Castle on a warm summer's evening, Lee bounded in and delivered a fast, full delivery to New Zealand [Images] captain Stephen Fleming [Images], who obligingly steered the ball straight to second slip.

Fleming's makeshift side did manage to tally for 167 for six, but it was the Australians who, once again, won the significant battles.

Led by a innings of 79 from Matthew Hayden [Images], mingling brutality with finesse, the tourists reached their target in the final over for the loss of two wickets.

They also dismissed England's [Images] new one-day find Kevin Piertersen for only six. Pietersen, who could yet force his way into the Test side if he performs well in the forthcoming triangular one-day series with England and Bangladesh, skied one of Michael Clarke's [Images] flat, slow left-armers into Adam Gilchrist's [Images] gloves.

When Australia batted, Gilchrist allowed himself a sighter with the first ball from England prospect Chris Tremlett, then eased the second through the covers for four.

Thereafter, the world's most destructive batsman struggled with his timing, but it hardly mattered as Hayden struck the ball with primitive force.

There was time for a cameo from the quick-footed captain Ricky Ponting [Images] as darkness fell, leaving a full crowd in good humour as they poured out of the ground.

Arundel has been the traditional venue for a one-day opening match for visiting Australian sides, after a week spent in London [Images] practising at Lord's and attending lunches, dinners and receptions, followed then by a three-day match at Worcester in which Don Bradman customarily hit a double hundred.

In the frenetic 21st century, the latest Australian side had barely landed in the country before they left for France [Images] to visit the Australian national memorial in Flanders where Ponting's namesake is among the thousands who died in World War One.

Back in England until early September, Ponting's men now have a diet of one-day cricket until July, when a three-day match against Leicestershire will be their only rehearsal at the traditional game before the first Test starting at Lord's on the 25th.

Brief scores:

PCA Masters XI: 167-6 in 20 overs (D Maddy 70, M Ealham 39, M Clarke 3-36)

Australians: 170-2 in 19.5 overs (M Hayden 79, A Gilchrist 53, R Ponting 31*, C Tremlett 1-17)

Result: Australians won by 8 wickets