Summary

  • Australia beat England by 111 runs

  • Aus 342-9: Finch 135, Maxwell 66, Bailey 55

  • Finn (5-71) takes hat-trick off last three balls

  • Eng 231 (41.5): Taylor 98*, Marsh 5-33

  • NZ beat SL by 98 runs in World Cup opener

  1. Aus 102-3 (Finn 4-0-20-0)published at 04:57 Greenwich Mean Time 14 February 2015

    The sweat glistens on Aaron Finch's bulging forearms as he pulls Steven Finn for two, then gets surprised by one which leaps off the pitch a little. Australia bring up three figures when George Bailey carves three though point and just wide of Ian Bell. It was in the air a while, but Bell had no chance.

  2. Join the debate at #bbccricketpublished at 04:57 Greenwich Mean Time 14 February 2015

    Steve Cross has shared his cricket watching snacks of choice with us.

    Steve Cross MCG snacksImage source, @stevewlcross

    Other brands are of course available.

  3. Aus 96-3 (England won toss)published at 04:52 Greenwich Mean Time 14 February 2015

    England are not getting as much out of the pitch as they might have liked when they inserted Australia - their decent position in the game is down to good bowling, putting the ball in the right areas and some pretty slick fielding (two dropped catches early on aside). James Taylor underlines that when he saves a certain four with a diving stop at point. Three from the over.

  4. Postpublished at 04:52 Greenwich Mean Time 14 February 2015

    Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport in Melbourne

    "There are many reasons to like the MCG, perhaps the world's most impressive cricket stadium in one of the great cities. The fact you can stroll back to the city, or that you can do an entire lap of the ground without leaving the concourse. Maybe it's the excellent Australian pies. Me? I like the road you walk down to get here."

    Batman AvenueImage source, BBC Sport
  5. New Zealand v Sri Lanka updatepublished at 04:52 Greenwich Mean Time 14 February 2015

    It's all going in New Zealand's favour in Christchurch with seamer Adam Milne taking two wickets. Dimuth Karunaratne (14) was bowled and Jeevan Mendis (4) given out caught behind after a successful Kiwi review. Skipper Angelo Mathews is still there on 22, but they need 153 from 90 balls.

    New Zealand v Sri Lanka scorecard - listen to online-only TMS commentary via the "Live Coverage" tab at the top of the page.

    New Zealand celebrate a wicketImage source, Reuters
  6. Aus 93-3 (Finch 55, Bailey 7)published at 04:48 Greenwich Mean Time 14 February 2015

    Both Australia and England will be aware the Australian lower order is weakened by the absence of the injured James Faulkner. How many times has he rescued the boys in yellow and blasted them over the line? The hosts continue to look a bit jittery, with another mix-up between the wickets almost resulting in a run out but England can't return the ball in enough time.

    George Bailey releases the shackles when he squirts three through the off side.

  7. Postpublished at 04:48 Greenwich Mean Time 14 February 2015

    Graeme Swann
    Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    "Aaron Finch will be getting quite tired out there as the MCG is a bigger ground than where you normally play. A lot of shots he's played that would normally dribble for four, he's had to run twos or threes. He'll be getting quite hot out there, so I'm not surprised to see him turning down the odd single."

    Listen to Test Match Special commentary on Radio 5 live sports extra

  8. Aus 86-3 (Finch 53, Bailey 4)published at 04:42 Greenwich Mean Time 14 February 2015

    England are being rewarded here with their investment in Chris Woakes. He's still not the finished article, but he's quicker than he looks and is getting just enough shape on the ball to keep the Aussies in check. The hosts are just dealing in singles at the moment. Time for some liquid refreshment.

  9. Join the debate at #bbccricketpublished at 04:42 Greenwich Mean Time 14 February 2015

    Kieron Robert Laity: Best seat in the house... #bbccricket #MCG #cwc15

    Kieron Laity seat at the MCGImage source, @kieronlaity

    We're not jealous here Kieron, honest!

  10. Postpublished at 04:42 Greenwich Mean Time 14 February 2015

    Allan Border
    Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special

    "I like George Bailey's response to this short-ball tactic from England. He's looking to take the positive option and play his shots despite being dismissed by that short ball at short leg in the tri series in Perth two weeks ago."

  11. Aus 83-3 (Finn 2-0-7-0)published at 04:38 Greenwich Mean Time 14 February 2015

    For every two shots to the boundary, there's a play-and-miss from Aaron Finch. He is struggling with Steven Finn's length at the moment. Just a couple from the over.

  12. Postpublished at 04:38 Greenwich Mean Time 14 February 2015

    Allan Border
    Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special

    "I'm a big fan of Australia in gold. I'm not too keen when we play in green. I don't know why there's the change in colour when it comes to World Cups, but for me, it looks much better."

    Listen to Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

  13. 50 for Finch (42 balls)published at 04:34 Greenwich Mean Time 14 February 2015

    England will be delighted with the scoreboard at the moment, but it could have been ever better. Aaron Finch was dropped on nought, but now's passed fifty for the seventh time in 42 ODIs with a single to mid-off. Poor James Taylor, under the helmet at short leg, cops one to the ankle when George Bailey connects nicely with a short ball. Don't rub it, JT. The skipper then almost falls over playing a hook shot. It's all happening out there.

    Aaron FinchImage source, Getty Images
  14. Aus 77-3 (England won toss)published at 04:30 Greenwich Mean Time 14 February 2015

    The tall, rangy Steven Finn - possibly England's quickest bowler - takes up position at the end of his remodelled run-up and his second ball is shovelled for four by Aaron Finch. The MCG hums gently - this England fightback wasn't in the script. Five from the over.

  15. Join the debate at #bbccricketpublished at 04:30 Greenwich Mean Time 14 February 2015

    Michael Lee: Get in!! Need to keep pushing for wickets though, such a deep and dangerous batting order.

    Phillip Burley: This is what happens if u pitch it up! Good bowling England.

    Adam Davies: Need to get the beard that's feared on to bowl at Finch. Keep Finn up your sleeve for the middle to late overs.

  16. New Zealand v Sri Lanka updatepublished at 04:26 Greenwich Mean Time 14 February 2015

    Sri Lanka still under the cosh in Christchurch - needing 177 from 120 balls. Karunaratne and Mathews have added 26 for the fifth wicket, but the required rate is creeping up from eight towards nine.

    New Zealand v Sri Lanka scorecard - listen to online-only TMS commentary via the "Live Coverage" tab at the top of the page.

  17. Aus 72-3 (Woakes 2-0-9-1)published at 04:25 Greenwich Mean Time 14 February 2015

    Grinning George Bailey is the new man to the crease. So much for the skipper sitting back and supping a brew while his top order made hay. The Aussies need a rebuilding job now.

  18. Postpublished at 04:24 Greenwich Mean Time 14 February 2015

    Allan Border
    Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special

    "That looked like an absolute ripping delivery. That ball just held its line and then Smith, not on balance, inside-edged it on to his off stump."

  19. WICKETpublished at 04:22 Greenwich Mean Time 14 February 2015

    England have reeled in a big one and Chris Woakes is cock-a-hoop as one of his perfectly executed inswingers catches the inside edge of Steve Smith's bat and rattles into the dangerman's stumps. England are on fire.

    Scorecard

    Steve SmithImage source, Getty Images
  20. Scorecard updatepublished at 04:22 Greenwich Mean Time 14 February 2015

    Australia 66-2 (10 overs) after England won toss

    Batsmen: Finch 41*, Smith 1*

    Fall of wickets: 57-1 (Warner 22), 57-2 (Watson 0)

    Bowling figures: Anderson 4-0-28-0, Broad 5-0-35-2, Woakes 1-0-3-0

    Scorecard