Australia cruised to a six wicket victory in the first ODI against England, with Jos Buttler's side showing real signs of a T20 World Cup hangover as David Warner, Travis Head and Steve Smith all scored impressive half-centuries.
In a game that took place just four days after England won the T20 World Cup, they left out four players who featured in the final with captain Buttler, Phil Salt and Chris Jordan the only survivors.
And after being asked to bat first by Australia's new ODI captain Pat Cummins, England were limited to a below-par 287-9 in their innings, which could have been so much worse had it not been for a magnificent century from Dawid Malan.
Having missed the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup due to a groin injury, Malan batted brilliantly and made an early case for his inclusion at next year's 50-over World Cup with an excellent 134 off 128 balls that included 12 fours and four sixes.
There are potentially two spots up for grabs in the middle order after Eoin Morgan's international retirement and Ben Stokes' decision to walk away from ODI cricket, although coach Matthew Mott hopes he can tempt the all-rounder back for the World Cup.
And with those involved in England's upcoming Test tour of Pakistan not featuring in this series, Malan, James Vince and Sam Billings were given a golden opportunity to impress, particularly when England lost both their openers early.
Phil Salt was the first to go, nicking off to Cummins for 14, while his opening partner Jason Roy's woes continued in his first innings since August. He was bowled by a brilliant ball from Mitchell Starc for six after a scratchy innings, leaving England in trouble at 20-2 in the fifth over.
Vince was then caught behind off Cummins for five, while Billings was bowled by an excellent delivery from Marcus Stoinis for 17. Buttler struck a couple of boundaries before holing out off Adam Zampa for 29, while number nine David Willey was England's second-highest scorer with an unbeaten 34.
But Malan pretty much played a lone hand, scoring his second hundred in the format in just his tenth ODI, cashing in after being dropped twice and bringing up three figures with a simple push down the ground off Ashton Agar.
"It was a wonderful get out of jail innings from Dawid Malan," former Australia quick Dirk Nannes said on BBC Test Match Special. "Without him England would have been in a lot of trouble. He just wasn't really supported at all, on what is a good pitch. He was composed and he played some glorious shots."
It was an impressive bowling performance from Australia, with Cummins and Zampa both picking up three wickets apiece, and they made easy work of the chase with their new-look opening partnership of Warner and Head safely navigating the threat of the new ball and putting on 147.
England's bowling attack was very much a second-string one, with Luke Wood making his debut having not played a 50-over match since 2019, Olly Stone and Liam Dawson playing just their fifth and fourth ODIs and Jordan making his first ODI appearance since 2020.
Warner and Head made an excellent start for Australia, quickly bringing up their half-centuries, before holing out for 69 and 86 respectively. However, the damage was done and Smith quickly settled in to score an unbeaten 80, guiding Australia to a comfortable victory alongside Cameron Green.
