Lonndon, Jan 31 (SMH): England have stumbled their way to a chance to gain some much-needed confidence against Australia before their World Cup opener at the MCG on February 14.

Their three-wicket victory over India at the WACA Ground on Friday sees them through into Sunday's final of the tri-series tournament against the unbeaten Australians at the same venue.

Coincidentally, the Australians have won both matches in this series against England by that same three-wicket margin, chasing down totals of 234 and 303.

But Friday's hero, James Taylor, said a complete performance was not far away and that a lot could be gained from a win on Sunday.

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"It would make a massive statement, no doubt," he said after top-scoring with 82 runs in a match-winning innings.

"It is going to be a challenge. They are playing some great cricket at the moment, but we are all looking forward to it.

"We know if we string all three facets together and do them to the best of our ability, which we are getting close to doing, we know we are going to put in a real good performance on Sunday."

The signs are there that England is not far away.

In their four games in this series, five of their top seven batsmen have scored half-centuries or better – with Ian Bell recording scores of 88 (not out) and 141. Captain Eoin Morgan kicked off the tour with an innings of 121 against Australia at the SCG.

Joe Root, Taylor (twice) and Jos Buttler have also passed 50.

Only opener Moeen Ali (who has managed a 48) and Ravi Bopara (with a total of 26 runs from three innings) have not been as productive.

Of the bowlers, only Ali has taken wickets in all four games (six), while Steven Finn has missed out once, but still claimed 10 victims, Chris Woakes likewise for his eight.

Stuart Broad also may have finally shown that he is regaining some rhythm when he took 2-56 on Friday after being kept wicketless in his previous three games (in 22.5 overs).

But Taylor is right. It is not going to be easy against a refreshed Australian side.

Everything must go England's way on Sunday for them to claim victory.

"We know it is going to be tough," Taylor said.

"It is a tough wicket and they have some bowlers who are in good nick at the moment. [But] we are looking forward to the challenge and it is a final."

England have lost six of their past seven ODIs against Australia, including two games in this series and four of a five-game series last summer.

Their last win against Australia in a limited-overs game was by 57 runs in Perth in January 2014 when Buttler top-scored 71 runs from 43 balls. That same man enjoys batting on the WACA Ground, having scored 67 runs and sharing a 125-run partnership with Taylor in the win against India on Friday.