Ricky Ponting emerged spectacularly from his run drought to score a match-winning century and guide Australia to a comprehensive seven-wicket victory in Sunday's NatWest Challenge at Lord's.

The Australia captain has struggled for runs since his side's arrival in England and has been unable to register a half-century during the one-day series over the last few weeks, but returned to form in style today with a brilliant 111 to help his side clinch victory with 34 balls to spare.

Ponting hit 14 fours and a six during his 115-ball innings and shared a stand of 120 with Damien Martyn to help the world champions bounce back strongly from their nine-wicket humbling at Headingley last Thursday.

Choosing to bowl first despite his attack's disappointing display three days ago, captain Ricky Ponting's faith was rewarded by England slipping to 45 for four after losing three wickets for three runs in 18 balls.

It took a determined 103-run partnership between Andrew Flintoff and Paul Collingwood to stabilise the innings and, like England's recovery from 33 for five to earn a tie in the NatWest Series final, put their side on course to salvage something from a shaky start by reaching 223 for eight.

But both players became victims of fast bowler Brett Lee, who finished with impressive figures of five for 41, with Flintoff falling with only three overs remaining after hitting two sixes and 10 fours in his superb 87 - his highest international score of the summer.

Hoping to put Australia under pressure in their reply, Adam Gilchrist instead gave the world champions a flying start with 29 off 20 balls until he edged Flintoff's second ball behind to Geraint Jones.

Simon Katich, pressed into service as an opener after Matthew Hayden hurt his right shoulder, forged a 60-run stand with Ponting until chipping Ashley Giles to long off for 30.

Australia pressed on relentlessly with Ponting falling just eight runs short of victory when he chipped Darren Gough straight to mid-wicket but by then he had already set up a series decider at The Oval on Tuesday.