Innings report: Maxwell, Faulkner power Australia to 278

Glenn Maxwell's 95 and a stunning 24-ball 50 from James Faulkner proved the catalysts for an Australia total of 278 for 8 at the WACA on Sunday, leaving England with a tricky chase on a two-paced wicket to secure the Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series title. Two early strikes from James Anderson and Stuart Broad's removal of a totally out-of-sorts George Bailey had left Australia in trouble, but Maxwell led a century stand for the fifth wicket before Faulkner's late hitting left England to chase a few more than they'd probably expected when the hosts were 60 for 4 in the 18th over.

Eoin Morgan's decision to field in Perth appeared the correct one when Anderson got Aaron Finch to nick the the third ball of the final to first slip after being squared up by an away-swinger. Not long after, he had David Warner (12) fending a length ball that kicked up steeply to point. Despite Chris Woakes conceding runs from the other end, Anderson's first spell (5-2-10-2) kept Australia in check.

Steven Smith looked, as usual, a cut above his team-mates but Bailey struggled to score off his first 16 deliveries, and then promptly fell of the next ball, surprised by a short one from Stuart Broad that was fended straight to a well-placed short leg. Broad's 500th international wicket left Australia in trouble at 46 for 3 in the 12h over.

Moeen Ali, fast gaining a reputation of being more than just a part-time spinner, got an important breakthrough in the 18th over when Smith tried to work a delivery on the onside but missed and overbalanced. An alert Jos Buttler did the rest to get Smith (40) stumped. Australia were in desperate need of a sensible stand and fortunately found the right men in Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh.

Maxwell led the recovery by reacting perfectly to the situation. He did not take any unnecessary risks yet still got to a fifty off 64 balls and received good support from Marsh, who managed to turn the strike over consistently. The duo were well set and had added 86 runs before the batting Powerplay came into effect in the 35th over. The stage was set for Maxwell to step up gears and he did so superbly. The reverse laps, pulls and slaps through cover came into play as Maxwell took Australia past the 200-run mark. The Powerplay yielded 46 runs and 31 off those came from Maxwell.

Closing in on a maiden ODI century, however, Maxwell fell for 95 when top-edging a pull off Broad. His 141-run stand with Marsh had pulled Australia out of trouble but at 201 for 5 in the 41st over, there was still desperate need for a late surge. Marsh got to his fourth ODI fifty and looked good to provide the flourish until he was run out for 60, and this was followed by Brad Haddins exit for 9 to Broad, who finished with 3 for 55.

From here, Faulkner smacked four sixes and four fours to propel Australia to 278. Twenty-three runs came off Woakes' final over, the 49th of the innings, as Australia raced past 250. Woakes ended up conceding 89 runs in his 10 overs - the fourth most expensive spell by an England bowler in ODIs. Faulkner got to his fifty with a six off the last ball of the innings, his 24-ball innings proving the difference between a middling total and a challenging one.