All-rounder Glenn Maxwell starred with the bat before Mitchell Johnson wreaked havoc with the ball in Australia’s 112-run win over England in Sunday’s Tri-Series final at the WACA Ground on Sunday.
Maxwell crunched 95 off 98 balls to help lift Australia from a wobbly 4-60 to a formidable 8-278 in front of 12,508 fans.
Johnson, playing his first match of the series, then snared the top-order wickets of James Taylor, Moeen Ali and Eoin Morgan to help skittle England for 166 in 39.1 overs.
Maxwell followed up his batting heroics with four lower-order scalps to finish with a career-best 4-46 in a memorable display that will boost his chances of nailing down a starting World Cup berth.
But it wasn’t all good news for Australia.
All-rounder James Faulkner was forced from the field midway through his third over with what appeared to be a side strain.
And stand-in skipper George Bailey’s form slump hit a new low when the 32-year-old made just two off 17 balls before fending a catch to short leg.
Bailey has scored just 74 runs in his past seven innings, placing him at risk of being squeezed out of Australia’s preferred XI for the World Cup.
Maxwell combined with Mitch Marsh (60 off 68 balls) for a match-winning 141-run stand, before Faulkner powered home Australia’s advantage with a brutal and unbeaten 50 off just 24 balls.
Johnson brutalised England’s batsmen during the last Ashes series, and he was again the tormentor on Sunday.
The 33-year-old removed Taylor in his first over, before producing a double-wicket maiden in his second over to leave England reeling at 4-46.
Ravi Bopara survived Johnson’s hat-trick attempt, but by then the damage had already been done as Maxwell joined in on the wicket-taking party to ensure a cruisy victory.
Earlier, Maxwell produced his usual array of unorthodox strokes as he approached triple figures.
But his blistering knock came undone when he went for one slog too many and skied an easy catch.
Marsh was also on track for a big score, but he was run out in 44th over after he and Brad Haddin attempted a sneaky second run.
Paceman Chris Woakes copped some major punishment, especially at the death.
In the penultimate over of the innings, Woakes conceded 24 runs as Faulkner unleashed with three sixes and a four.
Faulkner cracked a huge six over mid-wicket on the final ball of the innings to bring up his half-century.
MORE jsc/jms
John
Guest
I would say Aus, SA, Eng etc. all have the same structure in terms of using Indian tours to fund their domestic cricket.
John
Guest
Jack, I do too. So do many other Kiwis and Aussies. But CA and the other Cricketing Boards see dollar signs - I suppose you can't really blame them as it is so significant. For instance, I know when India tour to NZ, NZ Cricket sell the broadcasting rights to India for millions of dollars. I have heard that the money generated from one tour is enough $ to fund NZ Domestic cricket for 5+ years (all the costs and player salaries - which can be quite a bit considering domestic cricket in NZ gets no fan attendance, no tv deal and no major sponsorship).
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
I like New Zealand vs Australia though. That is why I want NZ to do well.
John
Guest
As a Kiwi fan, it makes me so upset watching Eng and India get thrashed. I mean, we could have been so much more competitive than those sides. Unfortunately, $ talks. India in particular will generate a lot more cash for both Cricketing nations than what an Aus-NZ match or series would generate.
Prosenjit majumdar
Guest
England would lament the fact that they don't have a real quicky, like starc, johnson or even cummins
Don Freo
Guest
If you follow games of cricket, you'd know. If you don't, it doesn't matter whether you understand or not.
Don Freo
Guest
NCN is your man if you want a finisher for the last 2-5 overs.
SpongeBob
Guest
I'm not sure which you are referring - a BBL game? We're not short of bowlers we're short of batters. We need someone to turn those 220's into 270's just like last night.
Prosenjit majumdar
Guest
Yes australia bowled,fielded brilliantly on a pretty good pitch.both mitchells swung the ball a little bit both ways and the morgan ball just came in a touch off the pitch.
JimmyB
Guest
It's also possible to argue that the bowler exploited the conditions in each instance, although giving credit to bowlers is generally frowned upon. As much regard as I have for Bailey, it'd be hard to argue that the pitch was to blame for his dismissal, it was a regulation but well directed shorter delivery.
Matt
Roar Rookie
Warner was still quite unlucky regardless of footwork, the ball spit pretty badly. Finch however got done by the sort of ball that has ruined his red ball career
JimmyB
Guest
Not from where I was sitting it didn't, from the trajectory it was bowled it continued on the same path, hence Gun Barrell straight. Thanks for coming though Don, always a pleasure.
JimmyB
Guest
And of course he's a better human being too, seeing as he represents 'The West'
jammel
Guest
If Faulkner's out, I wouldn't bring in another all rounder into the squad (i.e. not Henriques, and definitely not the likes of Cutting or NCN). I think we have enough all rounders in the form of Maxi + Watto + MMarsh + even Johnson. I'd plum for Sean Marsh. He'd be ideal to replace Bailey if he remains out of form - even if that means he bats at #5. If Faulkner's injured though it is a straight swap IMO with MMarsh coming into our best XI: Warner Finch Watson Smith Clarke Maxwell MMarsh Haddin Johnson Starc Cummins
Don Freo
Guest
22 runs in 9 balls? 6 runs off Lyon's last ball to make the last over target unlosable? Leading Matador wicket bowler in strike rate, average and economy rate and second highest wicket taker (14) to Sandhu (15) in 4 less games? Reliability is his strong suit.
SpongeBob
Guest
In a test match, yes. He's going into the cup underdone so can't expect too much from him compared to usual. Coulter-nile isn't anywhere near as reliable or good. Heck, he practically lost us the game in Hobart.
Don Freo
Guest
JimmyB, your namesake, James Brayshaw made the better comment...that the ball exploded out of the pitch (highlighting the puff of dust). It was the same explosion from the pitch that got Bailey and Moeen Ali. No poor batting in any of the 3 dismissals. In fact each of them did well to get a bat to the ball.
Don Freo
Guest
No Jimmy-it cut back.
Don Freo
Guest
I love the fact that Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell and Shaun Marsh...and even Faulkner (who was criticized but not as much), who were so roundly condemned by the keyboard selectors, have all so strongly vindicated the strength of the NSP.
JimmyB
Guest
It could be argued pjm that Warner got out due to non existent footwork which is what Mark Taylor thought anyway.