The 2015 World Cup final is under way. Mitchell Starc thunders in to a cacophony of excitable and nervous noise and Martin Guptill just shoulders arms.

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Melbourne

"Was that the most audacious/stupid attempt at a pitch invasion of all time? Was he going for the trophy? It was impressive response for the stewards, a pack of them on him in a flash. Out intruder was carried out face down, not having the luxury of his feet touching the floor. Even one of his shoes came off and was kicked by the security. What a way to use your World Cup final ticket."

Image source, Getty Images

Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"Brendon McCullum very often runs down the wicket to the first or second ball bowled by one of the best fast bowlers in the world. Will he do that today? I think he might."

Listen to TMS commentary via the audio tab.

Here comes B-Mac, flanked by one of the players of the tournament, Martin Guptill. Let's rock and roll.

Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"Historically, New Zealand are a smaller country than Australia and have a smaller pool of players, but they've never been cowed by Australia in the way that England, and possibly South Africa, have been."

As for the MCG pitch, it's pristine. It's almost like a mirror as the sun beats down on its white surface. Runs, runs, runs.

The four tiers of the MCG are packed with supporters. I'd say it's 75% Aussie, as a rough calculation. Michael Clarke gathers his boys round for one last huddle and Brendon McCullum goes to find his stick of batting dynamite.

Image source, Getty Images

We're asking for your players of the tournament...

Joe, Dubai (like a kid at Xmas - couldn't sleep last night!): Starc or Boult for their control, aggression and crucial wickets at crucial times in a batter's tournament. A good spell today would make all the difference...

Andy in Redhill: Head says AUS, heart says NZ - hoping for an absolute belter either way.

The sun is beating down on the players as the national anthems are impeccably observed and belted out, to a man. Flags flutter, caps are doffed and the hairs on the back of the neck stand on edge.

Image source, Getty Images

The national anthems are held up while a clothed streaker runs across the pitch. Fifteen stewards encircle him and cart him out of the MCG. Does it really need 15 people? Was it Jonah Lomu?

There's a sharp intake of breath from Steve Smith as he strides out and looks around the imposing stadium which can hold around 100,000 fans. The Maracana of cricket.

The MCG is buzzing now. Spectators are hurriedly finding their seats and the teams are about to appear for the national anthems. Let's get ready to rumble.

Image source, AP

Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special

"Three very distinguished, and rather portly these days, World Cup-winning captains have escorted the trophy out - Kapil Dev, Clive Lloyd and Arjuna Ranatunga."

Our man Stephan Shemilt adds: "The trophy is carried by two air hostesses from the airline who sponsor the ICC. I wonder how they are chosen? 'You're not required for the Melbourne-Dubai flight today, can you look after the World Cup instead?'"

Image source, Reuters

So, how can Australia get Brendon McCullum out? Well, it's a shame they don't have a left-arm spinner in their team because B-Mac averages only 9 and has a strike-rate of 95 against such bowlers in this tournament. Against right-arm seam those numbers inflate to 45.4 and 197.4 respectively. A chink in the skipper's batting?

Like that stat? Check out more on this video from Simon Hughes.

Scotty Reynolds: With NZ winning the toss & Aus having homeground advantage, it has now evened out perfectly. The best team should win.

Brendon McCullum is unlikely to need to buy a pint for a long time in New Zealand. The skipper's big-hitting exploits have captured the Kiwi public's imagination, and McCullum says his team are enjoying their adventure too.

"Yeah, it's pretty amazing... the ride we've been on, and I've said that time and time again," he said. "It's been the greatest time of our lives. It's been an amazing trip.

"We dreamed right from the start and to now give ourselves a 50-50 chance in the final is an amazing achievement."

Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special

"Clarke and his opposite number Brendon McCullum are widely accepted as two of the best captains in the game, both having adapted to the modern way that one-day cricket is played.

"These men know that, in the field, you have to take wickets because the days of trying to sneak a few quiet overs here and there are gone.

"In that sense, watching the two leaders try to outsmart each other should make for a classic encounter."

Read more in Jonathan's pre-final column

Image source, AFP

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"If you asked me which team I'd want to captain, it would be Australia because of their talent. But what Brendon McCullum has done for New Zealand is produce leadership because he's making some of those players play better than they actually are.

"Grant Elliott is playing like Steve Waugh at the moment. McCullum's sending belief through the dressing room because of the way he has led from the front wielding the willow and setting the tone from the start of every innings."