Australia vs England, Final - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Series: India and England in Australia Tri-Series, 2015 Venue: W.A.C.A. Ground, Perth Date & Time: Feb 01, 11:20 AM LOCAL

A victory for England in the tri-series will give them big confidence ahead of the World Cup. © Cricbuzz

Well, well, just when you thought that Australia are off, Anderson has produced that delivery again. It's David Warner this time who fails to check his stroke and guides it to James Taylor, who takes a safe catch. The left-hander caught in two minds, played a nothing shot in the end as the ball bounces just a bit extra. Replays suggest the same and commentators term it "just a little movement off the top surface." Australia are 33/2 after 7 overs.

England chose to field in overcast conditions at the WACA. No changes were made to the team. Australia brought back Mitchell Johnson, who had missed the first three matches due to a sore hamstring.

Here's a quick look at the teams:

Playing XI:

Australia: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steven Smith, George Bailey(c), Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin(w), James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood

England: Ian Bell, Moeen Ali, James Taylor, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan(c), Ravi Bopara, Jos Buttler(w), Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, James Anderson

Before heading into the tri-series in Australia, England were staring down the barrel when it came to ODIs. They had lost four out of five ODI series in 2014 and the string of poor results had resulted in Alastair Cook getting sacked as ODI skipper. There was uncertainty heading into the tri-series and there were issues regarding the team's composition and confidence. However, England are turning the corner under Eoin Morgan's leadership. Although they struggled against Australia, their performance against India has been wonderful, with wins in Brisbane and Perth. England will be aiming to go one step better and win the tournament in order to gain significant confidence ahead of the World Cup.

Jimmy Anderson strikes in the very first over. The England bowler got rid of Aaron Finch with a delivery that just did enough. Perfect seam position, in that corridor of uncertainty and England have got that early momentum.

After the relief of Chris Woakes, Australia are just looking to get going with David Warner guiding Anderson for a four past the fine leg. One of those rare occasions where the bowler is guilty of drifting down the leg. Meanwhile, it's Steven Smith who seems to have brought that positivity. How many times he has done it for Australia this season. A Bradmanesque form, one must say. Woakes' fourth over goes for nine runs.

Anderson got rid of openers Aaron Finch and David Warner ©Reuters

Stuart Broad strikes. George Bailey is surprised by an awkward bounce, can't get out of the way in time and an easy catch for Taylor at forward short-leg. Broad reaches 500 international wicket with that, only the third England bowler to do so after Ian Botham and James Anderson. Australia seem to be in trouble here with three wickets gone for 47 after the end of the 13th over.

Stuart Broad celebrates after getting rid of George Bailey. ©Reuters

The over after the drinks break from Steven Finn has yielded Australia just two runs. Australia after 57/3 after 17 overs and in search of a partnership. Steve Smith is standing tall whilst the fall of wickets around him. The 16th over from Stuart Broad to Maxwell was a maiden. Maxwell is giving himself some time in the middle, rightly so. He hasn't been in any kind of form and would hope to get some rhythm going into the World Cup.

A momentary slip from Steven Smith has cost him his wicket and Australia are feeling the pressure here in Perth. Moeen Ali gets the big wicket for England as Smith misses the line and is stumped by Jos Buttler in second attempt. Buttler fumbled once but regathered the ball just in time to dislodge the stumps. Australia in dire need of a partnership at 64/4. It's now upto Mitchell Marsh and the big-hitting Maxwell.

Over 21: Steven Finn in that over was just guilty of feeding Maxwell in his strong zone. The ball drifting down the leg and Maxwell glancing it away. A straight drive down the ground from Maxwell in the over was the shot of the day, so far. But the question is can Maxwell carry it long enough or is there something just round the corner?

@CricketAus

20 32

Australia had to wait for 20 deliveries before getting a wicket suggests that England started with caution. But in the end, a fantastic line and length bowling from young Josh Hazlewood did the trick as Ian Bell finally nicked one to Brad Haddin. That brings previous games' Man of the Match James Taylor to the crease. England would need a big score from its top four to be in contention in this match.

Mitchell Johnson strikes on the first ball of his second over to send back James Taylor courtesy an outstanding catch from Maxwell. Fantastic catch as England lose their second wicket and more importantly a man in form. Replays suggest Johnson was mighty close to the no-ball line but it stays as a wicket. It's testing stuff from Johnson at the moment as Hazlewood is not giving an inch from the other end.

Two wickets in two balls from Mitchell Johnson and England are reeling at 46/4 in chase of 279 at The WACA. First it was a peach of a delivery which bounced and left Moeen Ali gasping for breath and the very next ball it was captain Morgan. Morgan was knocked over and beaten for pace. Australia firmly in control of the game with those strikes. Three wickets for 11 runs so far for Johnson after making a return to cricket since the Sydney Test against India.

Johnson has come all guns blazing on his return. ©Reuters

James Faulkner's 50th ODI wicket has reduced England to 71/5 in the 20th over. Expecting 204 more runs from the last-five batsmen is a bit too much. If England manage to pull it off, it would be nothing but a miracle. Coming back to Faulkner, what a day he is having.

Jos Buttler's misery at the crease has come to an end courtesy a reverse-sweep off Glenn Maxwell. Pat Cummins, substituting for James Faulkner, takes a low diving catch at short third-man. The very next ball it is Chris Woakes who comes in and goes out. Easy caught and bowled for Maxwell this time. Forgettable day for Woakes. After being belted for 89 runs in his ten overs, he fails to add anything to England's total. England staring at big defeat at 105/7.

Stuart Broad's little cameo, in which he took on Mitchell Johnson, has come to an end courtesy Glenn Maxwell. And of course not to miss Pat Cummins, who took his second catch as substitute. Australia are two wickets away from a comprehensive win.

This is why Pat Cummins is there on the field as substitute. ©Reuters

If you are an Australian fan reading our as it happens, this time there's hardly any update for you to look up to as Ravi Bopara and Steven Finn are just delaying the inevitable in Perth. But beyond that, Australia are sending out a message here to the other serious contenders for the Cup that matters. Come ICC World Cup 2015 and Australia would be strong favourites going with this kind of form. Isn't it?

What a match it turned out to be for Glenn Maxwell. Riding high on his 95 runs and then a career-best bowling figures of 4-46, Australia completed a comprehensive 112-run over England in the final of the Carlton Mid tri-series. England had their moments in the start but by allowing Australia to score 278 after they were down to 60/4 at one stage, England must be feeling a lost opportunity.

Ravi Bopara did delay the inevitable for with his 59-ball 33 but his dismissal made it easy for Hazlewood to get rid of Steven Finn. In pursuit of 279, England were bundled out for 166 in 39.1 overs. Not surprisingly, Maxwell was adjudged Man of the Match.

Johnson obliges fans after Australia win the trophy ©Reuters

It was not a bad series for England after all. They defeated India twice in their run-up to the final but were outplayed by an Aussie side which stood class apart. England have warm-up games against Pakistan and West Indies each before they go into the World Cup beginning February 14.