WORCESTERSHIRE’S Moeen Ali was the second top-scorer but Australia sealed a crushing Tri-Series final victory over England.
They were spooked by a destructive return from Mitchell Johnson (3-27).
The left-arm paceman bullied England in last winter’s Ashes and dished out familiar punishment on his first appearance of 2015 as the hosts eased to a 112-run win.
Johnson has been wrapped in cotton wool this year but was eager to leave his mark before these sides meet in the World Cup on February 14.
He may not have reached the blood-curdling speed of his best days, but by taking three wickets in ten balls – Moeen for 26 and captain Eoin Morgan with successive deliveries – he sapped the life from England’s chase.
Australia were already favourites at the interval, having gone from 60-4 to an above-par 278-8, but dismissing England for 166 with 65 balls left was decisive.
Their revival was built around a career-best 95 from Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Marsh’s battling 60 and James Faulkner’s boundary-strewn 50 not out at the close.
All three batsmen hit out at Chris Woakes, who bowled ten wicketless overs for 89 before rounding out a miserable day with a golden duck.
Spinner Moeen took the key wicket of former Worcestershire player Steve Smith for 40 through a stumping in his 1-39 from 10 overs.
The ball that accounted for Moeen was a brute with the opener using his bat for protection as he sent a dolly to slip.
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