Acting Australia captain Cameron White has warned his team-mates they will have to improve to win the ICC Cricket World Cup.An under-strength Australia side completed a dominant 6-1 series win against their fiercest rivals, who themselves have been hard-hit by injury, with a 57-run win at the WACA Ground.
Recalled right-hander Adam Voges, who was only selected after Australia opted to rest vice-captain Michael Clarke and star all-rounder Shane Watson, hit an unbeaten 80 in a man-of-the-match performance as the hosts posted 279 for seven.
England never threatened to chase down the target after they lost five wickets in the first 15 overs, including openers Andrew Strauss and Steven Davies without scoring, and they were eventually bowled out for 222.
Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait claimed three wickets apiece to complete a satisfying series for the three-time reigning world champions heading into their title defence on the sub-continent later this month.
But despite the emphatic scoreline in the series White, who captained the team in the absence of Ricky Ponting and Clarke, believes his team will need to find an extra gear at the World Cup.
"It's good to go in winning rather than losing, clearly, but I still think there's a bit of improvement left," he said.
"We are yet to combine a really good bat-and-ball game - so we've got to go a little bit more when we get there (to the World Cup).
"It (the series) has been pretty good, very good really.
"I just think there's still another level we can take it to and we'll probably need to at the World Cup.
"I think we can do better. Whether that's just bowling better balls, taking more wickets or not being four for 100 like we were today.
"We haven't quite nailed it but have been playing quite well."
Australia's decision to rest key men for the final game of the summer had been met with criticism today with former vice-captain Ian Healy claiming the team had "sold the Perth public short".
Clarke and Watson did not making the long trip west, while veteran quick Brett Lee was rested to leave Steven Smith (hip) as the only enforced change.
In their place local favourite Voges inspired victory in his first game since last March, while lesser lights Jason Krejza - who made his one-day debut - Tim Paine and Doug Bollinger were given their chance.
White rubbished Healy's claims and said it was understandable that two of the team's most important players should be rested at the end of a long summer and with the World Cup just a fortnight away.
"What would happen if we played two of our most important players and then one of them got injured?" he said.
"They'd probably say 'that's a stupid thing'. At the end of five Tests, two Twenty20s and potentially seven one-dayers to get our crucial players fit and mentally fresh for the biggest one-day tournament makes a hell of a lot sense to me.
"It gives someone like Adam (Voges) an opportunity and he took it with both hands so there are other good things to come out of the game."
White also played down reports Lee had suffered a recurrence of an elbow injury which threatened his career 18 months ago, adding: "He was 100% rested today. He's not injured."
Voges described his innings as the best of his 15-match ODI career as he looks to sneak his way into World Cup contention.
Australia are set to make a decision on the fitness of Mike Hussey on Tuesday, with the left-hander admitting today he would miss at least the first two games of the World Cup after undergoing hamstring surgery last month.
His most likely replacement, Shaun Marsh, is also suffering with a hamstring problem to leave the door ajar for Voges or Callum Ferguson, who managed just 15 today.
"It's up there with my best innings. To get another opportunity at my home ground and to make a good contribution was even better," Voges said.
"I don't think it has hurt (my World Cup chances) but it is out of my hands now.
"I'll just enjoy tonight, enjoy the moment and whatever happens down the track so be it."