Untimely wickets derailed Australia

Two ill-timed wickets just prior to the final 10 overs and an "off day" from Australia's bowlers saw the home side let the advantage slip in their five-wicket defeat to England at the MCG on Sunday evening.

That's the verdict from two of the architects of Australia's 8-304 first innings total, centurion Aaron Finch and allrounder Mitchell Marsh, who added a half-century of his own.

The pair put on 188 together in 21.2 overs, but both fell within 12 balls across the 36th to 38th overs to rob the Australian innings of momentum and leaving them defending a total that proved little match for an England side inspired by a red-hot Jason Roy.

"It's probably on me at the end of the day," Finch conceded to Optus Sports' Stumps after falling for a 119-ball 107.

"If I go and get 160 or 170 like Jason Roy did, we post 350 and probably put the game to bed (at the innings break). We left the game up in the air a little bit."

Marsh and Finch answered captain Steve Smith's call for better output through the middle overs, but their dismissals unsettled Australia's innings before the final 10-over push.

"I think the way our innings panned out, up until 35th over mark, was perfect," Marsh said today.

"We had a good base, a good partnership with Finchy and I, and got us to a stage where we could launch but we just lost a few too many wickets early.

"We want to have set batters in for the 40th over so we can really go. If we make an extra 20 or 30 runs we're right in it and probably win it."

And while Marcus Stoinis continued his outstanding ODI career with a 40-ball 60, Finch lamented the lack of a set batter to anchor the innings for the late explosion.

"We saw when Stoinis got in, the bowlers missed their line and length a little bit," Finch said. "I think if Mitch and I can get through to that 40-over mark we can put our foot down and maybe make 340, which means that they have to keep taking risks through the middle of the innings.

"Because they got off to such a flier they could just coast and bat around Joe Root at the end, make sure he was not out and Jason Roy could play however he liked."

While Finch celebrated a memorable century in front of the home fans, he said he needed to be more "ruthless" in the cut-throat world of one-day cricket.

"I think most of my hundreds recently have been between 105 and 120. It's just about being ruthless, getting that 150-plus," the opener said.

"When we had some success last year it was Davey Warner getting 150-plus and really setting up the game. It's about making sure whoever goes in and gets that hundred makes it a big one."

Marsh was furious at himself for being bowled by an Adil Rashid delivery that slip on and crashed into his leg stump after posting his 10th career one-day fifty.

"It was nice to get a few yesterday (but) I was really disappointed to get out when I did. I'd done all the hard work and was ready to have a bit of fun at the end of the innings," Marsh said in Brisbane ahead of Friday's second ODI at the Gabba.

"Hopefully if get a start next game, go on and get a really big one.

"Certainly I'm very clear in what I want to do in my first 30 balls, which is the most challenging part of batting.

"I've got a clear gameplan and I'm sticking to it no matter what format I'm playing.

"Obviously you have to adapt to conditions and match scenarios, but I have a really good gameplan and preparing as well as I can."

2017-18 International Fixtures

Gillette ODI Series v England

Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Cameron White, Adam Zampa.

England ODI squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

First ODI England won by five wickets at the MCG.

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

England T20 squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, David Willey, Mark Wood.

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final TBC, Eden Park, February 21