Maxwell leads Australian ODI win over England

PERTH, Feb 1 (AFP): A career-best performance by much-maligned all-rounder Glenn Maxwell inspired Australia to a crushing win over England in the one-day international tri-series final at the WACA Ground Sunday.
Maxwell took the highest score of 95 to help Australia recover from a poor start to make 278 for eight, winning by 112 runs.
He then took four wickets and a fine catch as England crumbled in the run chase to be dismissed for just 166 in 39.1 overs.
England, who will face Australia in the World Cup opener later this month, were never in the hunt after returning paceman Mitchell Johnson (3-27) claimed three quick wickets to have them 46 for four.
He made a hat-trick after removing Moeen Ali for 26 and then England skipper Eoin Morgan, who was bowled without offering a shot from successive balls.
Maxwell (4-46) also found himself on a hat-trick after removing Jos Buttler (17) and the hapless Chris Woakes, who had a match to forget, with successive deliveries.
After being put in to bat by Morgan, the home side slumped for 60 for four against some good early bowling from James Anderson.
However, a 141-run partnership between Maxwell and local favourite Mitchell Marsh turned the match.
Maxwell was a marginal selection in Australia's World Cup squad after his indifferent form over the past 12 months. But he showed his value with a typically inventive innings that combined bewildering and brilliant strokes.
He and Marsh set a new WACA record for a fifth-wicket stand in a one-day international, and Maxwell looked set for his first one-day international hundred as he passed his previous best of 93.
However, another audacious stroke brought about his demise for 95, caught behind by Buttler after top-edging an attempted pull shot off Stuart Broad (3-55). Maxwell hit 15 fours off 98 balls.
Australia 8 for 278 (Maxwell 95, Marsh 60, Faulkner 50*) beat England 166 (Bopara 33, Maxwell 4-46) by 112 runs.