Mitchell Johnson has reminded World Cup rivals Australia will enter the tournament as the top one-day side, a position he hopes the side can reinforce with a 6-1 demolition of England at the WACA on Sunday.
Johnson, unlike the rested Michael Clarke and Shane Watson, is looking forward to playing the final match of the series as he looks to make the most of being back at full health after battling a virus for several days.
He showed no signs of that as he made 57 when moved up to No 4 in the batting order at the SCG on Wednesday night as he helped Australia chase down England's 333 for six for victory.
Australia sit atop the world ODI rankings, ahead of India, Sri Lanka, South Africa and, in fifth, England.
The home side take a slightly new-look team into Sunday's final clash, something Johnson doesn't believe should affect their ability to humiliate the weary tourists.
"It is a bit of a different side, but there are a lot of guys there who have played one-day cricket for Australia," Johnson said.
"The guys coming in like (Adam) Voges and (Jason) Krejza have done well for their states as well.
"I think we've still got a well-balanced one-day side going into this last game, and we are taking a lot of confidence into it and then onto the World Cup.
"We are still the No 1 one-day side in the world so hopefully we win this series 6-1."
While Johnson's illness pales in comparison to England's mounting casualty list after a long tour, the left-armer does see the merit in trying to keep the next English tour a little shorter.
"It is a big schedule and I guess they try to work on playing these games to get the right balance on tours like this," he said.
"But the Ashes are always going to be a five-match (test) series and maybe you can cut down the one-day stuff, I'm not sure.
"A five-match series might work and personally I think the seven-match series is a bit too long even though it's perfect heading into the World Cup."
Johnson still wasn't overly happy with the way he bowled (1-43 from seven overs) on Wednesday, but the move up to No 4 in the batting order to make 57 from 59 balls is something he'd love to do more.
"The plan worked the other night," he said.
"I couldn't quite get after (Michael) Yardy because he bowled well, but I stayed out there and built a good partnership with Callum Ferguson, and then with Michael (Clarke).
"I enjoy batting at four and hopefully I get more opportunities to do it.
"My first couple of overs the other day were pretty good and then I got hit around a little bit when Strauss started to come at me pretty hard.
"I did get the ball to swing back in to get Prior out, though, so that's a good sign for me."
- AAP
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