The champagne might remain on ice for Australia, but I reckon Boof has sent his mate to the local offie for some tinnies. The Australian boys deserve a beer tonight... they've been magnificent and have really neutralised what appeared to be a rampant New Zealand outfit. Michael Clarke is motoring now, driving a Trent Boult full toss to the cover boundary.

Image source, AP

What's a more terrifying prospect for England next summer? The stack of wickets Mitchell Starc is likely to get or the mountain of runs which Steve Smith will pile up? The right-hander looks unstoppable at the moment, moving within a boundary of his fifth successive half-century with a single to square leg. Michael Clarke mis-times two over mid-off. The end is nigh.

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Pallav, Leeds: Can sense that Clarke wanted to do this not just for himself or team Australia but for Phillip Hughes as well. He carried it greatly throughout without showing burden. Great cricketer, great character... Hats off. Don't mind India losing to your dedication buddy.

Tim Southee is brought back into the attack and he has a resigned look about himself as he crosses his arms and discusses field placings with his skipper. Steve Smith is middling the ball nicely now and he punches a couple through the off side before clattering four down to third man via a thick outside edge.

Both Michael Clarke and Steve Smith fidget between deliveries, playing with their gloves, bat and rearranging bits of kit. They have really taken the sting out of Trent Boult now. The left-armer's pace has dropped and his head is almost bowed as he walks back to his mark. Still B-Mac attacks, however, with two men crouching on the drive. The Aussie skipper won't give it away now. Surely?

Jon Salinger: Real shame about the #ICCWorldCup2015 Final. Gone really flat with such a low chasing score.

Greg Randles: Be fitting if Clarke can score the winning runs and win the World Cup after injury and losing his mate Phil Hughes!

It's a matter of time. Australia can almost choose when they put the Black Caps out of their misery. Five from the over.

Image source, Reuters

Michael Clarke has 90-odd thousand cricket fans on their feet as he nudges a single which brings up his 58th and final ODI half-century. He's itching to get his hands on the trophy now.

Image source, AFP

Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"Clarke, you sense, wants to give us a flourish. Smith looks like he's being purposefully anonymous. We're going to see a lot of Boult and Starc this summer in England."

It's now or never. Trent Boult has three overs remaining, and Brendon McCullum has chucked him the ball. Coming round the wicket to the right-handers, he's throwing the kitchen sink at the batsmen but it'll take more than that. It seems he could throw the fridge freezer at these two and they wouldn't budge. Michael Clarke ends the over with a beautiful drive back down the ground for four. Class, pure and simple.

Louis Strong: Starc player of the tournament? But what about AB, Dhoni, Sangakarra, Guptill? It has been an epic.

Millions, maybe billions, are watching around the world and almost 100,000 are packed inside the MCG. It's the grandest cricketing stage of all, so it seems almost funny when the 12th man runs on with some sticky tape to patch up Michael Clarke's cracked bat. Clarke is taking this game by the scruff of the neck now, dancing down the track and lifting Daniel Vettori for a six over long-off.

Image source, Getty Images

Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"From the Kiwi point of view, they're celebrating fours turned into threes, when really they need the diving catch or the brilliant run-out."

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The MCG looks resplendent under the floodlights. The grass is a lush shade of dark green and the Australian shirts glow magnificently. Chest puffed out, Michael Clarke drives Corey Anderson for three through the covers. The Black Caps continue to field well, but it's seemingly delaying the inevitable.

Image source, Reuters

Mo: You have to hand it to Australia, they have been a formidable team. When it mattered, handled & responded to match situations well.

Njirih Magu: #CWC15Final has turned out to be like a Test series on the fifth day. Score three runs per over and defend the rest. Disappointing.

Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"There's a sort of air of celebration around the stadium, as the bulk of the fans are supporting Australia, and it's likely to come quite quickly as there are still three slips in, which leaves gaps. McCullum's not had the best of days but there's been no shortage of zest - they're going for broke here."

Where's the party in Melbourne tonight? Will it be like the Champs-Elysees when France won the football World Cup on home soil? Surely everyone's booked Monday off work? Michael Clarke is looking to end this in style, standing back in his crease and thrashing the ball over long-on for a four. The crowd roars. They're loving this.

Image source, Getty Images

Dave Brackley, in cold, wet, windy Somerset: On the subject of the weight of 'Zing' bails: there is no law governing the standard weight of cricket bails. That said, Zing bails are said to be slightly heavier than "standard" bails but lighter than the heavy bails used in unusually windy conditions... No more specific info seems to be available.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special

"Vettori's really struggling. He seemed to do something at the fall of the first wicket."

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Crikey! There's some fellas dressed as the late, great Steve Irwin in the stands. Otherwise known as The Crocodile Hunter. Daniel Vettori continues to twirl away in what is likely to be his final ODI and Steve Smith chips a single back over the bowler's head. It's all too easy at the moment as a Mexican Wave sweeps round the MCG. The party is beginning to start up now.