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England don't know how to beat us: Hazlewood

NSW quick believes Australia have the edge over oldest rivals heading into World Cup

Paceman Josh Hazlewood says England players will be "scratching their heads" when it comes to working out a game plan to beat Australia in their World Cup tournament opener at the MCG on February 14.

The Australians have won 13 of 15 ODIs on home soil against England over the past four years, including three from three in the recently completed Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series, and Hazlewood expects the dominance to continue in the World Cup.

"We've been pretty good in one-day series against whoever we've played here," Hazlewood said. "So to have England again in the first game, hopefully we can get off to a flyer and beat them to get our competition underway.

"I don't think they quite know how to beat us yet, especially in Australia.

"We've obviously proved that over the last few years and especially in this series again, beating them a few times.

"So they'll be scratching their heads I guess of how to get on top of us in this first game."

Hazlewood said the make-up of Australia's side was unlikely to change much from the XI that took the field in last Sunday's tri-series final, although James Faulkner was today confirmed to miss out as he deals with the side strain picked up at the WACA on Sunday.

Quick Single: Faulkner to miss World Cup opener

The 24-year-old also pointed out that Australia's fast bowlers were unlikely to be rested throughout the tournament, despite group matches against Bangladesh (Brisbane, Feb 21), Afghanistan (Perth, Mar 4) and Scotland (Hobart, Mar 14).

"I think that was a good indication the other night of what the XI is going to be, obviously apart from little injuries here and there," he said.

"Shane (Watson) is getting pretty close. He had a little bowl the other day off a short run, so he's looking good, he's got a couple more days now to get what he needs and I'm sure he'll be right to go.

"I think we'll stick with the same XI throughout most of the World Cup – with the games being a week apart there's no reason to rest fast bowlers so it should be all systems go."

Hazlewood has come of age through the 2014-15 season, taking five wickets in his debut Test innings and continuing to impress in the 50-over format after a maiden five-wicket haul against South Africa in November.

He now looks likely to take the new ball for Australia in the World Cup alongside one of two left-arm options in Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc.

"It's obviously been a breakthrough summer for me in all formats pretty much so I'm happy to keep it going and keep bowling well," he added.

"There's always a slight breeze wherever you're playing, which suits the right-hander from one end and the left-hander from the other.

"So it depends which Mitch opens, I'm sure whoever opens will do a great job and I'm excited to hopefully get the new ball on a few occasions and keep doing what I've been doing.

"I've been working hard for the past few years and it was always a dream; everyone was looking at the World Cup, no matter where you were in Australian cricket.

"So to be part of it now and hopefully grab that new ball for Australia in the World Cup is pretty exciting.

"I'm quite confident now that I can do a job for Australia up front with the new ball."

Australia’s World Cup Fixtures

February 14: v England, 2:30pm at the MCG

February 21: v Bangladesh, 1:30pm at the Gabba

February 28: v New Zealand, 2:00pm at Eden Park (NZ)

March 4: v Afghanistan, 2:30pm at the WACA

March 8: v Sri Lanka, 2:30pm at the SCG

March 13: v Scotland, 2:30pm at Blundstone Arena

View the full fixture list here