With a modest target of 215 in their sights against an inexperienced England attack, defeat at the SCG last night would have been a significant failure for the hosts.

As it was Australia stuttered and spluttered along for a while but only threatened to capitulate for the briefest moment before David Hussey raised his hand with a match-winning contribution.

His composed 68 not out was just what was needed in the circumstances, allowing Australia to win with 24 balls and four wickets to spare and take a 3-0 lead in this seven-match series. In a batting line-up of full health, Hussey is not assured a spot in the first XI but an elegant and mature innings was a firm reminder of what he has to offer.

Australia's stand-in captain, Michael Clarke, had spoken after losing the coin toss about the opportunity in store for the team's middle order to establish itself ahead of the World Cup, indicating the elevation to the 15-man squad of last-start hundred-maker Shaun Marsh was a formality if Ricky Ponting and/or Mike Hussey succumbed to injuries.

As a test case for the middle order that Clarke said would likely take the field on the subcontinent next month this was not wildly successful, at least before David Hussey steadied the ship. Brad Haddin, at the top of the list, looked in pristine touch but after losing partner Shane Watson for nine, found himself watching a procession of colleagues wandering with varying levels of agitation back off the SCG.

Marsh, elevated to No.3 where he will surely play in India and Sri Lanka if Ponting fails to recover from a broken finger, could not repeat the brilliance of Hobart. The West Australian was out leg before wicket to Ajmal Shahzad for six in a decision optimistically, and unsuccessfully, challenged by Haddin.

Clarke himself followed soon after for nine, continuing the bleakest of summers by clipping to Michael Yardy at mid-wicket from the bowling of Chris Woakes. Then came the vice-captain, Cameron White, out lbw to Paul Collingwood for seven. White also protested the raised finger but the review was also to no avail, with the ball en route to nudge leg bail.

Haddin was the mainstay, and an effective one, ignoring the carnage at the opposite end to reach his 50 from 49 balls with a crisp drive through cover. Dropped on 37 by England skyscraper Chris Tremlett, the wicketkeeper had not given another chance in leading a responsible chase.

That was why his careless drive off Collingwood to mid-on when on 54 came out of the blue. He was caught by Woakes, leaving Australia 5-100 just before the halfway point.

Fortunately, Hussey took the baton. Steve Smith (26 from 37 balls) provided adequate support for the Victorian before exiting with a slog off Tremlett. John Hastings (18 not out) hung around with Hussey to complete the assignment comfortably.

Earlier only Jonathan Trott (84 not out), with the nonchalant but diligent tempo that characterised his Ashes campaign, proved immovable for England, after Kevin Pietersen had withdrawn with a groin injury, joining a lengthy casualty list for both sides.

Among them were Australian pacemen Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson, making veteran quick Brett Lee's role as spearhead of the home attack even more integral.

From the off he was up to the task. He struck in the first over, with the victim Matt Prior caught helplessly lbw to register a second consecutive duck. Lee returned later to help finish off England, who did themselves no favours with the frankly comical run-outs of captain Andrew Strauss and tailender Tremlett.

Xavier Doherty capitalised on his opportunity, coming via injury to Nathan Hauritz, taking 2-37 and jack-of-all trades Watson contributed a tight 1-17 from six overs and produced a wonderful catch to remove Ian Bell for 10. Lee, however, was the standout.

''That's why I'm so energetic about being out here playing for Australia again - I have missed the last 14 or 15 months, thoroughly missed it,'' Lee said. ''You don't know if you'll ever get the chance to play for your country again.''