Perth, Feb 1
Hosts Australia gave a warning to
other cricketing nations ahead of the World Cup at home with a
comprehensive 112-run drubbing of England in the final to lift the
tri-series trophy at the WACA here Sunday.
Australia dominated
the match as they did in the entire series, winning all their matches,
to make themselves favourites for the mega quadrennial event which gets
underway Feb 14 in Australia and New Zealand.
An all-round
performance by man-of-the-match Glenn Maxwell helped Australia post a
strong total of 278/8 and then bowl out England for a mere 166 runs in
only 39.1 overs.
The day totally belonged to Maxwell as the
26-year-old all-rounder not just notched up his highest One-Day
International (ODI) score of 95, but also clinched his best bowling
figures of 4/46.
England captain Eoin Morgan's decision to bowl
first was vindicated as Australia were tottering at 60/4. Australia's
top-4 -- Aaron Finch (0), David Warner (12), Steven Smith (2) and
captain George Bailey (40) -- perished within the 18th over.
It
was at this point when Maxwell struck a significant 141-run fifth-wicket
partnership with Mitchell Marsh (60), taking the hosts past the 200-run
mark. The combine helped Australia recover from a poor start.
However,
Maxwell fell five short of his maiden hundred and his wicket was
followed by that of Marsh's. Wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin (9) also
fell in a span of 11 deliveries, making Australia panic once more at
224/7 in the 45th over.
However, a blitzkrieg unbeaten
half-century by James Faulkner (50 not out), off just 24 balls which
included four fours and sixes each, took the four-time World Champions
to a challenging total.
England pacer James Anderson was lethal
with the new ball and ended with figures of 2/38 from his 10 overs while
Stuart Broad picked up 3/55 from his 10.
In reply, the England
innings never took off as the batsmen kept getting out at regular
intervals right from the start. Middle-order batsman Ravi Bopara was the
top scorer of his team with 33 while opener Moeen Ali scored 26.
Maxwell
was the highest wicket-taker while lethal fast bowler Mitchell Johnson,
returning from an injury break, was right on target with 3/27 from his
seven overs which was studded with two maidens. New ball bowler Josh
Hazlewood (2/13) clean bowled Steven Finn (6) to wrap up the England
innings.
Brief scores: Australia 278/8 in 50 overs (Glenn Maxwell
95, Mitchell Marsh 60, James Faulkner 60 not out; Stuart Broad 3/55,
James Anderson 2/38) beat England 166 all out in 39.1 overs (Ravi Bopara
33, Moeen Ali 26, Joe Root 25; Glenn Maxwell 4/46, Mitchell Johnson
3/27, Josh Hazlewood 2/13).
