Aussies look to find mongrel

Mitchell Johnson is determined to see Australia live up to their number-one one-day international ranking after recent comments from coach Mickey Arthur.

England crushed Australia by eight wickets in the fourth one-day international on Saturday to take an unassailable 3-0 lead and wrap up the five-match series.

Following the comprehensive defeat, Arthur spoke openheartedly to his players and called on them to show more mongrel after being bullied by England on this tour.

And Australian paceman Johnson, who has taken 168 wickets in 108 ODIs since his debut against New Zealand in 2005, felt Arthur's comments were deserved as the tourists look to finish on a positive note.

"It was an honest and firm talk that he gave us," the 2009 ICC Cricketer of the Year said ahead of Australia's final one-day international at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

"It's something that we all needed. Things that were brought up in the meeting were definitely things we were thinking about, I know I was.

"So it was definitely warranted and he was spot on with most of it.

"Like I said, we just need that bit of fire in our belly and hopefully we can bring it into this game and prove to ourselves that we are good enough to compete against this side.

"We're the number one one-day side and we need to play like that."

Johnson feels a lack of confidence is partly to blame for the poor results.

"It's the confidence thing," he said.

"There are a few young guys in the side with limited international experience.

"Playing in these condition, obviously England are playing very well, I think we've been on the back-foot a little bit.

"You have a look at the way Ian Bell's played, you have a look at him two years ago and he wasn't showing that confidence, we know he's always had the ability.

"But it really does come down to belief and confidence.

"If we can go out in this game and prove we're the number one side, I think we can do an exceptional job."

Meanwhile, Shane Watson and Brett Lee returned home to Australia on Monday for MRI scans and further medical assessment on calf injuries sustained during the fourth one-day international on Saturday.

Speedster Mitchell Starc, who has been in red-hot form for Yorkshire taking 18 wickets during the county side's T20 campaign, was added to the squad on Sunday and is likely to feature in the final series match.

However, despite Watson and Lee both missing, Johnson is confident Australia have enough talent to deal with their absence.

"It's a pretty big blow obviously with the experience of those two guys but it's something we can work with as well," the 30-year-old said.

"We've got a very talented squad that we've got over here, so we can definitely go into this game with a lot of talent.

"Like Mickey said the other day, we just need to have that fire in the belly and show that confidence and belief and go out there and do a good job.

"We've got one more chance here to show England and show ourselves that we are good enough, I believe we're good enough.

"So they will be missed but we have guys to cover for them."