Aust go in for the kill against England

England are on the canvas and Australia are going in for the kill, seeking a 5-0 sweep of the one-day international series.

Australia began their assault with a six-wicket win with more than four overs to spare in Sunday night’s opening game of the ODI series at the MCG.

And the scars of England’s Ashes humiliation are still visible, according to Australia allrounder Glenn Maxwell.

“I think we can,” Maxwell said on Monday when asked if second-ranked Australia could sweep third-ranked England.

“The way the side is and the confidence around the group, and the way the England team looked a little bit yesterday – they looked a little bit drained, looked a bit tired.

“They’re still carrying a little bit of the effects from the Ashes.

“Hopefully we can keep our foot on the throat and keep them to 10-nil and hopefully take them in the T20s as well.”

Maxwell says England, who were hampered by poor fielding and a dropped catch at mid-off when century maker Aaron Finch was on eight, are clearly struggling.

“Definitely with their fielding. When Finchy and David Warner took off it was a bit like ‘here we go again’ for them,” Maxwell said of the opening pair’s 163-run stand.

“Hopefully that continues because I love beating England. I’m sure everyone does in Australia.”

The Australians, meanwhile, are flying.

“Yeah, definitely. It’s nice to come in when everyone’s on the back of a 5-0 Ashes win,” Maxwell said.

The last thing the demoralised tourists need is a rematch with their Ashes tormentor Mitchell Johnson, the player of the series who claimed 37 wickets in five Tests.

Rested from the MCG clash, Johnson is set to return for Friday’s game two at the Gabba.

“He’s bowling rapid,” Maxwell said. “I’m actually not looking forward to him coming back into the squad because I’ve got to face him in the nets.

“I think a few of the batsmen feel that way as well. Hopefully he saves himself for the game and puts a bit more pain on them.

“He’s had a phenomenal summer – a phenomenal 12 months, really, since the IPL last year.

“I got to see him first-hand at Mumbai.

“He was by far the best bowler of that tournament and bowling unbelievably fast and scaring all the Indian batsmen as well.

“It’s going to be incredible when he comes back in.”

Australia left out Johnson, fellow quick James Pattinson and opening batsman Shaun Marsh from their 14-man squad for Sunday’s game.

Allrounder Shane Watson will be rested on Friday, putting Marsh back in the frame for a possible recall.

Nathan Coulter-Nile (1-51) is a potential candidate to make way for Johnson, while James Faulkner will be desperate to improve if given another chance after taking 1-68 off his 10 overs on Sunday night.

Maxwell said Clint McKay’s 3-44 set the game up for the home side.

He also praised Finch as one of world cricket’s most damaging limited-overs batsmen.

“It was just a perfect innings,” Maxwell said. “He batted almost right through for us (121 off 128 balls) and basically killed the game by himself.”

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