(BBC) – England held their nerve to take a 2-0 lead in the one-day international series with a four-wicket victory over Australia in Brisbane.

Set 271 to win after Aaron Finch hit 106, the tourists eased to 119-1 only to be checked by the wickets of Alex Hales, Jonny Bairstow and Eoin Morgan.

Joe Root and Jos Buttler rebuilt before Mitchell Starc removed the wicketkeeper and Moeen Ali in quick succession.

But Root and Chris Woakes calmly guided England home with 34 balls to spare.

Despite those wobbles during the chase, it was a largely commanding performance by Morgan’s side, who bowled superbly to restrict Australia on a good Gabba pitch that offered turn.

England can now clinch the five-match series with victory in the third ODI at Sydney on Sunday.

The basis for England’s victory was a self-assured bowling display, backed up by shrewd captaincy from Morgan.

After David Warner and Finch made an untroubled start against pace, Morgan turned to spin, with Moeen finding turn straight away and removing Warner, who edged to Root at first slip for 35.

Adil Rashid was then duly introduced to the attack, before part-time off-spinner Root also came on and bowled brilliantly, trapping Australia captain Steve Smith lbw for 18 and taking an easy return catch to dismiss the skittish Travis Head for seven.

With Moeen and Root providing both control and threat, Morgan could keep attacking with Rashid even when the leg-spinner started to leak runs. The reward was the key wickets of Mitchell Marsh, stumped for 36, and Marcus Stoinis, caught behind by Buttler for four, to prevent the hosts making a late surge.

Liam Plunkett returned to remove Finch for his 100th ODI wicket, while Woakes bowled tightly at the death, also displaying fine footwork to run out debutant keeper Alex Carey (27) by kicking the ball onto the stumps as Cameron White (15 not out) tried to take an ill-advised single.

Woakes then also ran out Andrew Tye off the final ball of the innings to limit the hosts to 270-9, once again 30 or so runs short of a challenging target.