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Don't write us off yet: Dhoni

MS Dhoni has denied India are fatigued ahead of next month's World Cup, saying one purple patch is all that is needed to ignite the pre-tournament fancies.

The tourists enter today's tri-series contest against England at the WACA Ground winless on Australian soil this summer, but well aware a victory will catapult them into Sunday's final against the hosts.

Australia will be boosted for the final by the return of pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson.

Dhoni acknowledged his side had yet to build any momentum leading into the World Cup, but said recent matches had it closer to settling on a preferred line-up for its title defence.

Asked if the squad was struggling to deal with the demands of a long Australian tour, the Indian captain said: "Not yet. That's something that we knew about with the duration of the series and also we have managed it quite well so far.

"I've been in this position quite a few times. We know what needs to be done.

"Ultimately what's important is for the guys to take that extra responsibility because we just need that spark, that 10-15 minutes of cricket and every- thing falls back into the right place."

Dhoni said the tourists had identified losing wickets in pairs and an inability to accelerate in the final 10 overs of their innings as areas that needed to be addressed.

He also backed opener Shikhar Dhawan to regain his best form after a lean tour.

Dhawan has not reached double figures in any of his three ODI appearances this series.

It comes on top of his 167 runs at 27.8 in the 2-0 Test series defeat, leading to him being dropped for the fourth Test at the SCG.

"What's important for him will be to be himself and bat to his strength because the change in format can really work in your favour," Dhoni said.

"The demands of the format are very different. You have to be a bit more expressive, you can play your big shots.

"You can come into form and go out of form very quickly."

Rohit Sharma has been ruled out for the third successive match with hamstring soreness despite batting in the nets yesterday.

Meanwhile, emerging quick Josh Hazlewood is desperate to impress in Sunday's final to help secure a starting berth at the World Cup.

The 24-year-old's return to the one-day arena on Monday after an injury lay-off was limited to just five overs before rain washed out play against India at the SCG.

With left-armers Johnson, Mitchell Starc and James Faulkner all expected to be first-choice selections, Hazlewood said he was in a likely shoot-out with Pat Cummins for one spot.

"Three left-handers is obviously a lot," he said.

"They're obviously going to pick one of the right-handers - Cummins or myself - and we've got (spinner Xavier) Doherty there to play if conditions suit."

I've been in this position quite a few times. We know what needs to be done."MS Dhoni