Woah. Glenn Maxwell beats Grant Elliott in the flight and the ball crashes into the batsman's pads. The umpire says it's out. The batsman reviews, but I think he's a goner.

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James Faulkner has some pretty impressive ODI stats - averaging 43 with the bat and 31 with the ball. He's got a crafty slower ball, but the New Zealand batsmen are up to the task and add another three to their total.

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Allan Border
Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special

"We might have one or two other retirements after this World Cup. Brad Haddin hasn't said anything about it, but I don't think he'll play too much more one-day cricket. We're in a holding pattern at the moment, but the Aussies aren't letting New Zealand settle."

There's a few footmarks appearing on the pitch as the surface loses its shine. Glenn Maxwell is trying to land the ball in those dark areas outside the batsman's off stump. The bowling continues to be milked as these two try and play themselves in. Five from the over.

Ben Long: Interesting the English reaction on Haddin. Yep, we're big, fast and mean and we don't care what you think. That's why we win.

Rich Newcombe: What's the 'plan B' for NZ now?

Allan Border
Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special

"Clarke's a very positive captain as we've seen throughout his tenure. We've got two of the best captains out there today. It's always disappointing when you see players call it quits, but [retiring from ODIs] should keep Clarke fresh for Test cricket."

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James Faulkner and his left-arm box of tricks is called upon by Michael Clarke. Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott seem to have restored a sense of calm of proceedings as they knock the ball into gaps vacated by the end of the powerplay. Three from the over.

Azharuddin: Maybe it's a Taylor-made day for NZ.

Sam Wicks: Got to love a good send off! It's the final for goodness sake, passions are high!

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Melbourne

"Is this pitch as good as we thought? It might just be a little two-paced. The dismissal of Williamson seemed to get a little stuck. The Kiwis have to cling to that. At the moment, their best bet is to scrape to 240, then hope."

Image source, Reuters

Allan Border
Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special

"Someone told me that McCullum has only averaged facing 17 balls per innings at this World Cup. Short, sharp and telling - but it didn't come off for him today."

The Black Caps must feel like they are surrounded by a swarm of wasps as the Australians buzz about in the field and look to deliver a decisive sting. Ross Taylor helps himself to three through mid-wicket to bring up the team fifty. Time for drinks.

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Kevin Richards: Is it wrong that I'm already worried for the Ashes?

Andrew Morris: Surely Amrut (3rd over) is kidding? McCullum couldn't do anything with the three deliveries he faced. Starc player of the tourney.

Shak: McCullum was playing his natural game. If it comes off he takes the game away from Aus; unfortunately not this time.

Mitchell Johnson has not bowled a bad ball yet. He whistles another bouncer past the grille of Grant Elliott's helmet as he looks to set the batsman up by pushing him back and then running one across the right-hander. Ross Taylor is no mug though and he drives three through the covers.

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Allan Border
Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special

"The Aussie boys have been very impressive. It just shows the value of strike weaponry in a bowling unit - it's hard to bat against. I'm surprised the ball has swung a bit, you don't often see that at the MCG, but there's pace and bounce there too."

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England women's vice-captain Heather Knight:, external Big send off from Haddin, no need for that!

Wisden editor Lawrence Booth:, external Bet Guptill really appreciated Haddin's commentary on his dismissal...

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The Glenn Maxwell experiment lasts just one over and Josh Hazlewood is brought back into the attack. There's a gentle hum enveloping the MCG as everyone digests what they have just seen. The Aussies are in cruise control. They're just like the German football team - they know how to turn it on in big finals.

Andrew Morris: Understand it's a final, but the reaction from Haddin was poor sportsmanship and Not Just Cricket. Definitely want NZ to win now. Would love to see Aus have to chase 300+ given the difficulty of it at the MCG. Oh well. Another 300 total thriller?

Devendra: Indians are celebrating Guptil's wicket as he was threatening to break Tendulkar's record of most number of runs in a World Cup.

Rich: The choke has begun - NZ's luck has finally run out.

Mitchell Johnson stands at the end of his mark, tossing the ball in his hand with the menace of a soldier clutching a hand grenade. The left-arm quick is in one of his destructive moods today and Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott have a heck of a rebuilding job ahead of them.

Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"It couldn't have been a gentler catch, it might have been one of his cutters. I think Johnson deceived Williamson, who was a little becalmed except for that over from Hazlewood. Elliott was the hero of the semi-final, but he's got a huge mountain in front of him here. Get through him, and you're into the hitters already. I'd think about taking Maxwell off now - but I'm not Michael Clarke."

Image source, AFP

Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special

"The wheels are coming off New Zealand's innings here. It wasn't an obvious slower ball, but it was the sort of dismissal a slower ball often produces."

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