Australia thrash England in final

An injury scare to James Faulkner has soured Australia’s commanding 112-run win over England in the final of the Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series in Perth.

Faulkner left the field midway through his third over with what Cricket Australia later confirmed to be side soreness, a cause of concern for the star allrounder less than two weeks out from Australia’s opening World Cup match.

Injury update: Faulkner leaves the WACA with rib soreness

Faulkner leaves the WACA with rib soreness

While Faulkner’s day was soured by the injury, fellow allrounder Glenn Maxwell cemented his position with his best game in the green and gold of his country.

The Victorian scored his highest one-day international score of 95 and claimed career best bowling figures of 4-46 to rout England and deliver Australia its fourth piece of silverware this summer. 

Highlights of Maxwell's half-century

Fast-bowler Mitchell Johnson also made a successful return to international cricket, crashing through the tourists’ top order to finish with 3-27.

Australia were in trouble at 4-60 before Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh (60 off 67) combined for 141 to put the home side in control, with Faulkner icing the cake with rapid-fire half-century.

Highlights of Faulkner's half-century

England captain Eoin Morgan’s decision to bowl first was vindicated early when James Anderson removed both Australian openers before George Bailey’s low run of scores continued when he was out for two from 17 balls.

The in-form Steve Smith looked in sublime touch yet again, cutting and driving his way to 40 before he misjudged the flight of a Moeen Ali off-break and was stumped on the second attempt by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.

Steve Smith stumped in unusual fashion

At 4-60 there was cause for concern, but Maxwell and Marsh steadied and then relaunched Australia’s innings, merciless on anything slightly erring in line and length. 

Maxwell’s innings was a knock of two halves. The first was composed and mature as he handled the potentially dire situation with orthodox and tempered stroke play before the second act began full of laps, swats, flashes and reverse shots, taking 24 off the 40th over bowled by Chris Woakes.

But just as an elusive maiden century appeared certain, the Victorian’s quench for boundaries had him skying Broad to Buttler to fall five runs short. 

Marsh’s brutal innings continued after his partner departed, but only briefly, as he was run out at the non-striker’s end after Brad Haddin’s adventurous call for a second run.

Highlights of Marsh's half-century

With both set batsmen removed the Australian innings was in danger of losing momentum, but Faulkner’s reputation as a finisher was enhanced, smoking an unbeaten 24-ball 50 including a six off the last ball to bring up his fifty.

If England were worried about facing Johnson on the fast WACA wicket, they's have to wait as Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood took the two new balls, and the latter struck early to remove Ian Bell for eight to a wonderful catch by a diving Haddin.

But they needn’t wait too long, with Johnson entering the attack in the seventh over and normal service resumed a short time later when the left-arm quick removed James Taylor to a good catch by Maxwell at point, even if there was some doubt about the legality of the delivery due to Johnson's right foot getting dangerously close to going over the front line.

Mitchell Johnson picks up two wickets in two balls

Two overs later the vocal WACA crowd were on their feet when Johnson bowled a brute of ball to surprise Ali and take his edge to Finch at floating first slip, and the audience remained standing when Morgan left his first ball only to watch it clatter into his off-stump.

Twenty-five runs later, Joe Root was trapped in front by Faulkner, before the allrounder left the field with side his injury.

While the Australian medical staff attended to the injured Tasmanian, Maxwell’s match went from good to great, removing Buttler (17) and Woakes in successive deliveries to reduce England to 7-98 in the 25th over.

Maxwell would claim two more wickets before Hazlewood castled Steve Finn to wrap up the match and series and firm Australia as a World Cup favourite.

Maxwell finds himself on a hat-trick