England aim for twelfth time lucky in Sydney

England's comprehensive victory in their last encounter with Australia at the SCG - in the final Test of the Ashes series two and a half weeks ago - gives them their best cause for optimism when the two sides meet again there in the first of the best-of-three VB series finals tomorrow.

Australia, as well as winning seven of their eight matches in the triangular series so far, have beaten England 11 times in a row in one-day internationals, but England's captain, Nasser Hussain, is refusing to be over-awed by that figure.

"I think both sides know that England can beat Australia in one-day cricket on a given day," Hussain said today. "Our record isn't very good against them recently but let's be fair.

"Look at what injuries have done to Australia, because we've been plagued by them. If we can put all parts of our game together we can beat Australia, definitely."

England could recall left-arm spinner Ashley Giles to the side following his recovery from a wrist injury, on a pitch that is often receptive to spin.

"Obviously, with it being Sydney it's nice to have the main spinner here," said Hussain. "He's got a chance. He is fit to play but whether he's stiff in the morning - because it's two months since he's played - is what we will check.

Hussain added that next month's World Cup in southern Africa was providing plenty of motivation.

"I'm a little bit mentally jaded but these are big games now. Winning the tournament here is important. It would be a boost, beating Australia out here but obviously how we go into the World Cup is more important."

"There's a lot of talent flying around in that competition and it's really going to be similar to the last World Cup, who peaks at the right times and who wins the important games," he said.

Meanwhile Australia's opening batsman, Adam Gilchrist, says he has reserved a big score for tomorrow's match. Gilchrist has made eight centuries in 150 one-day internationals, including 124 from 104 balls against England in Melbourne last month.

"I'm saving them up, saving them for the big ones," Gilchrist said. "Don't waste them in the preliminary games. That's what I'm hoping anyway."

"If you look at our past two games, they have been much closer affairs than the first two games we played them in the series. With that in mind obviously they're showing some improvement. We've definitely shown some improvement with names like Hogg and Watson, they've stepped up.

"If we're improving and they're getting closer that must mean they're on the way up to so we'll expect a tough encounter."

Australia are poised to recall leg-spinner Shane Warne after a month-long break with a shoulder injury which was followed by today's announcement that he is to quit one-day internationals after the World Cup.

"He's been telling us all that he feels good and he's bowling well, so we're looking forward to having him back on the park as soon as we can," Australia one-day captain Ricky Ponting said.

Australia's pace bowlers Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Andy Bichel are also hoping to be in contention following injuries.