Ashes defeat was the singular motivation for Australia to prove their eminence is not on the wane in the Super Series.

Since losing 2-1 to England, Ricky Ponting's side have had their credentials scrutinised by the public both home and abroad.

But they wasted no time in providing evidence of their status as the best one-day team on the planet with the merciless dismantling of the ICC World XI in the Telstra Dome opener.

Not even the presence of English duo Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen, whose performances over the summer were integral to a first Test series defeat for Australia for more than four years, could distract the focus of the home side.

''We have had three weeks to reflect now,'' said Simon Katich, who struck Australia's solitary half-century in the 93-run win.

''The guys were really disappointed with what happened there so it was nice to start the season well.

''It is hard not to think about what happened recently and it was important to put up a good start against what is a very talented side.

''They were up for it and I am sure they will come back hard.''

Katich had fortune on his side to survive against Flintoff, edging past wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara, being caught off a no-ball and being adjudged not out from the first instance of a referral to the television umpire for a caught behind appeal.

For all his early hostility, Flintoff - universally considered the best fast bowler around on current form - finished wicketless in nine overs at a cost of 66 runs.

But Hampshire batsman Katich admitted: ''The wicket had a fair bit of carry and bounce and Freddie got the ball through well. We had a little bit of luck against him and that helped.

''Most of these guys in their bowling attack I have played against in the past but collectively together it is tough work, there is no let-up at all.''

With the selectors opting to ditch Matthew Hayden following the tour of England, Katich has been given first option to forge a new opening partnership with the destructive Adam Gilchrist.

Veteran fast bowler Glenn McGrath misses today's match due to stiffness in his legs.

McGrath, 35, did not bowl even in practice between the Ashes decider at The Oval and pre-match training for the first of three one-dayers.

* England captain Michael Vaughan has challenged his Ashes-winning side to ''beat everyone in the world'' over the next two years.

The series victory over Australia lifted England closer to the world champions in the International Cricket Council rankings but Vaughan stressed there was still much to do before the Aussies were finally toppled.

This winter's tours to Pakistan and India will prove crucial in assessing how close England are to becoming the best side in the world.

Vaughan said: ''We have beaten every team over the last two years and we have got to make sure we do that over the next two years.

''Australia away in 16 months' time is the real, true test but Pakistan and India away are massive challenges for the team."

England's job on the sub-continent was not made any easier by the withdrawal this week of Glamorgan paceman Simon Jones with an ankle injury. With Chris Tremlett also struggling with injury, Durham's Liam Plunkett is among the candidates to step in.

Vaughan is also determined not to allow his team to bask in the glory of the win over Australia.

''It is a young team who can play together for a number of years,'' he said at the launch of four special Royal Mail stamps to mark England's Ashes victory which went on sale yesterday.

''The ones who do become complacent are generally not the winners and we tend to have a lot of guys in the team with ambition.