England have set ODI benchmark: Warner

Australia opener David Warner says England are "setting the benchmark" in ODI cricket ahead of Friday's second Gillette series match at the Gabba in Brisbane.

Eoin Morgan's team thumped the Australians in chasing a record target of 305 at the MCG on Sunday night, prompting Steve Smith to reflect on the defending world champions' strategy in the wake of the defeat.

England have transformed themselves as an ODI outfit since their embarrassing group stage exit of the 2015 World Cup, and Warner believes they are currently the team to beat on the international stage.

"They've played a different brand of cricket over the last 12 months – they've been more aggressive up top, and with the ball with a bit of pace as well," Warner said.

"So they're setting the benchmark at the moment.

"They're in a great space now with their one-day team. I think they've had it for almost two years now, the same team. They're led fantastically by Eoin Morgan as well – he knows his players; the players know their role in the team."

Warner highlighted England's team balance as a key factor in the run that has seen them win more matches than any other team since the last World Cup, also pointing out the absence of Ben Stokes – at least temporarily – to their best XI.

"They've obviously got great balance," he said in Brisbane. "Then you add Ben Stokes to the mix as well. They're got incredible depth with their batting, and they've got plenty of bowling options.

"Obviously they went into the game the other day with three quicks and two spinners, and if you add Stokes to that line-up, he's an extra quick."

England have thrice finished runners up in the World Cup but have not made it as far as the semi-finals in any of the past six tournaments; only Zimbabwe have suffered the same fate throughout that period.

Under Trevor Bayliss however, the ICC's No.3 ranked ODI team have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.

"The bar's going up all the time – I think it was the first time ever 300 had been chased down at the MCG, but we were quite happy and content in restricting the Aussies to 300," Jonny Bairstow told media today as he reflected on the recent significant increase of ODI totals, of which England have been trailblazers.

"I think (setting records is) a good thing to speak about. You want to be taking it onto that next level, you want to be going out there and saying, 'Right, well no-one's chased 300 at the MCG, no-one's set 350 at the Gabba, no-one's chased down (444) when we did it at Trent Bridge'.

"To have the fearless nature in order to say, 'Well we've done it here, we've done it there – there's no reason why we can't'. Having that positive talk around the group … can only lead to people having the confidence to go out there and if we need 25 off the last over they can go out (and get it done), whoever's bowling."

Morgan's men will have the opportunity to create more history when they step onto the Gabba on Friday – in three ODIs against Australia at the venue this century, they've suffered three losses.

"When we come here every time we've got to come here with confidence, because we try to make it our fortress in all formats," Warner added.

"You're always confident as an Australian batsman when you come and look at this wicket, that's for sure. It's always got good bounce and carry for the bowlers as well."

Meanwhile, Tim Paine and Josh Hazlewood are in danger of missing the second ODI due to illness.

Wicketkeeper Paine is battling a bout of gastro and is yet to join the squad in Brisbane, while Hazlewood woke on Wednesday with a virus.

While Paine is likely to be fit to play, fast bowler Hazlewood's illness is considered more serious, leaving the door open for West Australian quick Jhye Richardson to debut.

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