Australia makes 279-7 against England

Perth, Feb 6 (AFP) Half-centuries by David Hussey andAdam Voges guided Australia to 279-7 in their seventh andfinal one-day international against England at the WACA Groundin Perth.

The pair, natives of Perth, combined for a fifth-wicketstand of 95 in 83 balls to ensure the home side recovered froma slow start to post an imposing total after winning the toss.

Australia, already with an unassailable 5-1 lead in theseries, rested Michael Clarke and Shane Watson, and were 103-4in the 26th over when stand-in captain Cameron White wasdismissed for 24.

However, Hussey and Voges then brought their experiencein local conditions to the crease to accelerate the Australianinnings.

Voges, recalled for his first game of the series and notnamed in Australia''s 15-man World Cup squad, remained unbeatenon 80 not out, while Hussey made 60.

It was Voges'' highest score in his 15 one-dayinternationals and came from just 72 balls.

England did not help their cause with 19 wides.

The Australian innings got off to a controversial startwhen recalled opener Tim Paine was given out lbw to LiamPlunkett, flown in from the Caribbean just for the final game,for five on review.

Paine had advanced well down the pitch by the time theball struck him on the pad, but the perils of relying ontechnology were highlighted when the Eagle-eye system said hewas struck in line and that the ball was going on to hit thestumps.

Although the English dropped a couple of sharp chances,they also held a couple of magnificent catches.

Opener Brad Haddin (27) was superbly caught by an alertSteve Finn on the long-on boundary from the bowling of MichaelYardy.

Finn caught it inside the boundary rope, but his momentumcarried him over the boundary, forcing him to throw the ballup in the air and step back inside the rope to complete thecatch.

Matthew Prior, who handed the wicketkeeping gloves to therecalled Steven Davies, took a classic on the mid-wicketboundary to remove Mitchell Johnson for 26 from the bowling ofJames Anderson (3-48).

Prior leapt backwards as he retreated towards theboundary to snare the catch well above his head.

England went into the match without Eoin Morgan, who isin doubt for the World Cup due to a finger injury. (AFP) SHN