Aus vs Eng: Australia crush England by 112 runs, lift tri-series trophy

Perth: Mitchell Johnson, Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner proved to be the real stars for Australia's huge 112 win against England at the WACA on Sunday. With this win, Australia now clinch the Tri-Series trophy and go into the World Cup with a great confidence booster when they take on England on February 14. 

Here's how the action unfolded

England won the toss and elected to field with overcast conditions in Perth. Spear-heading the pace attack for the English was James Anderson, who struck early picking up Aaron Finch in the first over itself as he edged one to Joe Root.

In came the in-form Steve Smith who was doing a good job along with David Warner, in bringing Australia out from an early slump, but that didn't last for long as Anderson struck yet again surprising Warner with a delivery that had an uneven bounce from the WACA pitch.

Skipper George Bailey continued his poor form and his post as captain wil be a talking point going into the World Cup. Bailey didn't trouble the scorers much as he scored just two runs of the 17 balls he faced. 

England were having a ball in the field with the bowlers doing the trick for the team with a little help from the pitch. After a great spell of six overs from Anderson conceding just 11 runs, Steven Finn and Moeen Ali were brought into the attack. Moeen meant business right from the word go picking up the danger man Smith with a deceiving delivery that left Buttler do his job at the stumps after a bit of fumbling.

Australia were in a dire need of a partnership and Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh rose up to the situation. Their 141-run stand brought the Ausies back into the game. They did a splendid job to bring the Aussie run rate just above four. Maxwell picked up his half-century in style with a boundary while Marsh also joined the party striking boundaries at regualr intervals.

Maxwell, who was on 95 threw his wicket trying to slap a Stuart Broad delivery just above cover, but sadly the ball found the edge of the blade and was caught by wicketkeeper Buttler. Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin joined Marsh but the both of them couldn't build on a partnership with Marsh run out after trying to sneak a second run and Haddin being deceived by a Broad slow ball only to be caught at midwicket.

England were sitting comfortable as two new batsmen- James Faulkner and Mitchell Johnson were at the centre with only two overs left. Johnson looked rusty with the bat and eventually was caught by skipper Eoin Morgan by a Finn delivery. But the star of the game was Faulkner as he has a sent a strong message to all his opponents going into the World Cup that the match is not done without him. Faulkner scored a quick 50 of 24 balls that powered the Aussies to a respectable total of 278-8. 

Australia were 4 for 60, they ended their innings- 8 for 278. Smith was in serious touch again before he walked past one from Moeen. Maxwell looked as good, and made more than twice. Marsh looked good for many more before he was run out, and Faulkner could soon become a synonym for finishing.

The pick of the England bowlers was Anderson picking up two for 38 while Broad took three wickets but went for 55 runs. Chris Woakes had a bad day at the office going for 89 runs in his 10 overs while Moeen and Finn both added a wicket each to their name.

With a target of 279 and a required run rate of 5.83, England were off to a flyer, courtesy openers Ian Bell and Moeen Ali but young pacer Josh Hazlewood made sure England didn't enjoy the party for long as Bell edged a Hazlewood delivery that only left Haddin pick up a superb catch diving to his right. Mitchell Johnson, who made a comeback to the side opened his account in style. He along with Maxwell did the the major damage with both picking up three and four wickets respectively and were denied a hat-trick ball. England have been very wayward with their batting and had, like the Aussies no significant partnerships. Moeen Ali, who looked confident with his batting couldn't sustain himself at the crease falling prey to a Johnson delivery. Ian Bell fell early after edging a Josh Hazlewood ball to keeper Brad Haddin. The rest of the batsmen fell like a pack of cards with noticeble contributions only from Ravi Bopara and Stuart Broad who looked promising at the end but couldn't keep up to the might and pace of the Aussie attack.

Australia had a bit of a scare in the middle when Faulkner looked to be in some kind of pain while bowling and taking no risks ahead of the World Cup, skipper Bailey handed over the ball to Finch to complete the over while Faulkner walked back to the dressing room.