Reuters
Perth, February 1
Mitchell Johnson took three wickets for five runs on his international return and Glenn Maxwell bagged 4-46 after hitting 95 to propel Australia to a crushing 112-run victory over England in the Carlton Mid Tri-Series final in Perth. Fast bowler Johnson, who bagged 37 wickets in the 2013/14 Ashes, again terrorised England who were bowled out for just 166 in 39.1 overs after collapsing to 46-4 in response to the home side’s 278-8.
Australia – 60-4 themselves at one stage – set a challenging target on the back of Maxwell’s innings and a brutal, unbeaten 50 off just 24 balls from James Faulkner.
Maxwell put on 141 for the fifth wicket with Mitchell Marsh (60) after James Anderson (2-38) had struck twice early on, picking up Aaron Finch with the third ball of the match.
Spinner Moeen Ali claimed what seemed the key wicket of Steve Smith, who eased his way to 40 off 50 balls before he was stumped at the second attempt by Jos Buttler as he dawdled outside of his ground.
Having scored just five runs off his first 18 deliveries, Maxwell upped the rate and put on 50 with Marsh off 55 balls reaching his fifty off 64 balls with an audacious reverse sweep for four.
But after passing his previous best ODI score of 93, Maxwell attempted one big shot too many and miscued a swipe at Stuart Broad (3-55) and skied a simple catch to Buttler.
Marsh followed 13 balls later, run out as Buttler gathered Anderson’s throw from third man and threw down the stumps, but Faulkner then plundered 22 of four balls from Chris Woakes, whose 0-89 was the third most expensive spell by an Englishman in ODI cricket.
Needing six off the final ball of the innings to reach his half-century, Faulkner swung Steven Finn over midwicket for a maximum.
England’s reply was quickly in trouble as Ian Bell edged Josh Hazlewood behind before Johnson – who didn’t take either of the new balls - struck with the first ball of his second over, James Taylor falling to a fine Maxwell catch at backward point.
Replays suggested it may have been a no-ball but TV umpire John Ward ruled in the favour of Johnson, who then forced Moeen Ali to fend to slip and bowled Eoin Morgan, who offered no shot to one that arrowed back in and hit off-stump.
Joe Root (25) couldn’t capitalise on a solid start when he was trapped lbw by Faulkner and England’s hopes were all but over when Jos Buttler’s reverse-sweep off Maxwell ended up in the hands of substitute fielder Pat Cummins.
Maxwell reduced the tourists to 98-7 with his very next delivery as Chris Woakes chipped back a soft return catch and although Stuart Broad threw the bat, collecting two sixes in his 20-ball 24, the resistance was token.
Ravi Bopara’s 33 off 59 balls epitomised England’s struggles - and the gap between the sides before they meet in the second match of the World Cup on February 14 – as he struggled to find his timing in an innings that featured just one four.
