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Johnson raring to go after freshen up

Mitch Johnson admits it was hard to watch on during Tri Series, but it's all systems go now

Pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson says his break from international cricket was just what he needed to freshen up ahead of Australia's ICC Cricket World Cup tilt on home soil.

The big left-armer missed the fourth and final Commonwealth Bank Test against India at the SCG with hamstring soreness and sat out Australia's four Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series fixtures before returning for the final.

Building up his pace across seven overs, Johnson tore through England's middle order en route to figures of 3-27, with the extra pace and bounce proving a handful on his home WACA deck.

"It's nice to be back in front of a home crowd," Johnson told Channel Nine after the match, "it was great to get out there in a final and play well."

"It was a big moment for this team leading into a World Cup, so it's good to win this series.

"It is hard, sitting back at home (but) it was something that I needed. It freshened me up.

"It was exciting to watch sitting back at home but I did definitely want to be a part of it and, to be out here in the final, I felt very privileged."

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Fellow speedster Mitchell Starc would have made for good viewing; the 25-year-old southpaw wreaking havoc throughout with 12 wickets at an average of 16.33 – figures that could have been even better if not for his 0-40 showing in the final.

The leader of Australia's pace attack said he even used the young quick's dominance as motivation.

"I was trying to catch Mitchell Starc," said Johnson when asked about his added pace against England.

"He bowled very fast and well throughout this tournament.

"We've got these two practice games coming up and then the World Cup so I'm really excited about that."

Despite Johnson's stellar return, which included the collapse-sparking dismissals of Moeen Ali and captain Eoin Morgan with consecutive deliveries, Morgan insisted England's Ashes tormentor wasn't the lone reason for the heavy defeat, saying it "could have been anyone bowling".

"Absolutely not, I don't think he swung it," said Morgan on Johnson's opening spell.

Mitch Johnson takes two wickets in two balls, including Morgan's

"I don't know why we performed like this today. Our biggest worry was the pitch.

"We didn't know what the pitch was going to be like and it turned out to be better than we thought."

Man of the match Glenn Maxwell wasn't as convinced by Morgan's apparent lack of concern.

"He had 3-11 at one stage and tore through their top order," said Maxwell.

"They can be not worried at all but if they're getting skittled by him they probably should be."

Australia will take on England in their opening match of the World Cup, with a packed MCG expected to open cricket's marquee event on February 14.