Inspired spells from Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath ensured Australia turned a challenge into a comfortable 18-run win over Pakistan in the first one-day cricket final at the MCG.

With Australia defending just 237, the two pacemen were magnificent early and took three wickets between them in the first three overs to strangle Pakistan, which managed 9-219 from its 50 overs.

Australia leads 1-0 in the best-of-three finals, with game two in Sydney on Sunday.

Lee (3-23) fired up his side by removing Salman Butt LBW second ball, and McGrath (3-34) claimed his 300th ODI wicket in his 200th match when Mohammad Hafeez was caught to make it 4-27.

After a brilliant early spell, Lee returned to break a key partnership of 91 between captain Inzamam-ul-Haq (51) and Shoaib Malik (66), which had the tourists needing 120 from 17 overs.

But Inzamam let his side down when he flicked Lee to McGrath at fine leg in the 33rd over.

Two overs later, Andrew Symonds' direct hit had big-hitter Abdul Razzaq run out before Simon Katich's cool catch to dismiss the dangerous Shahid Afridi (26), who smashed three sixes in his 15-ball knock, killed off the contest at 8-171 before tailenders Rana Naved-ul-Hasan (29) and Rao Iftikhar Anjum (19 not out) fought it out.

Symonds top-scored with 91 for Australia and was named man of the match.

However, it was a black day for struggling Matthew Hayden, who was dropped and Michael Clarke shifted to the top of the order, and the Queenslander is now in doubt to reclaim his spot for the one-day series in New Zealand this month.

But Hayden might take solace from a slap-happy batting effort by Australia.

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