Andrew Strauss hopes England and Pakistan have begun cricket's healing process at the Emirates Durham ICG.

The England captain could reflect with particular satisfaction after his team piled up 274 for six in a rain-reduced 41 overs to win a hard-fought match by 24 runs.

They therefore went 1-0 up in the five-match NatWest Series.

But Strauss, and opposing coach Waqar Younis, were both mindful of a much bigger picture as they reflected on their teams' performances.

England's success was built on an impressive 87 at the top of the order from new wicketkeeper-batsman Steve Davies, in only his second one-day international, and a hard-working 69 from Jonathan Trott.

Pakistan responded to a tough target with heartening spirit to reach 250 for nine, as they tried to erase unwanted memories of their two Twenty20 trouncings in Cardiff.

They are also attempting, of course, to put the spot-fixing crisis to one side - if not yet quite entirely behind them - and Strauss welcomed their efforts today as a positive step.

"There is a bigger responsibility for us as cricketers at this stage," said Strauss, referring obliquely to the controversy which has resulted in police interviews and International Cricket Council charges and suspensions for three of the original members of Pakistan's limited-overs squad.

"No-one likes to see the game battered and bruised, and we need to heal any wounds that have been caused as quickly as possible.

"There's no doubt it has got to have been a tough time for them [Pakistan] over the past two weeks.

"For them to continue coming out and putting in spirited performances is important for them, and the game of cricket."

Strauss was still more pleased, of course, with the efforts of his own team - who always appeared to have plenty of runs, on a very good batting wicket, and defended their total adequately.

"We won, but we had to work pretty hard for that victory," he added.

"It ended up a good, tight game - which is great - and we won, which is also great.

"I said before the game that as cricketers we feel a real responsibility at the moment to get cricket in the headlines for the right reasons.

"By that, I mean by playing good and entertaining cricket for people to enjoy.

"I think both sides achieved that today.

"We're even more delighted, because we went on to win the game."

Strauss proved he is not afraid either of one of his sport's most enduring cliches.

"Cricket was the winner today," he believes.

"It was a competitive game on an excellent wicket to bat on, so there were plenty of boundaries scored and some real entertainment.

"The crowd looked like they enjoyed themselves. So it was a good day for cricket, and a good one for us as well."

There was just one moment, early in Pakistan's run chase, when the calmer waters cricket is craving were disturbed.

Non-striker Kamran Akmal, who went on to top-score with 53, appeared aggravated by a remark from Trott at mid-on - forcing Strauss and the umpires to intervene.

"It was one of those reasonably heated moments, out of nothing," said Strauss, who claimed to be unaware of exactly what caused the altercation.

"There weren't any words that were particularly scolding out there, and the umpires did a good job to cool it all down again.

"Then the players themselves managed to get on with it, which was important.

"It was nothing I felt particularly concerned about, just one of those situations where a fielder says something and the batsman bites.

"Then it's an important time for both the captain and the umpires to calm things down again."

Waqar has also yet to get to the bottom of the reason for Akmal's anger.

But it was not a priority for him as he spoke about the restoration of at least some Pakistani pride today.

"It was a definite improvement from the Twenty20, and we looked a much better unit," he said.

"It was superb cricket from England, batting so well up the order, and 270 was maybe a touch too many."

Waqar also confirmed the non-selection of Wahab Riaz today was a tactical matter and unconnected with the fact the pace bowler will next week become the fourth player interviewed by police in the course of their investigations into alleged corruption.

"He's in the (squad of) 15. All 15 are available," he said.

"I'm told by the management that he is available, and that's where my line comes."