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

Live Reporting

Adam Williams and Marc Higginson

  1. Geoffrey Boycott
    Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

    "It's a good catch, he did well to get down for that. He's had a tough day and he's bowled a lot of overs."

  2. WICKET

    Last knockings of this Australia innings and Brad Haddin looks to cash-in. Running in from third man, Stuart Broad takes a good catch low down.

    Scorecard

    Stuart BroadGetty Images

  3. Aus 334-6 (Maxwell 61, Haddin 28)

    Jimmy Anderson is next England bowler off the rank. More poor stuff here as Haddin tucks in to two short-length deliveries and cracks them away to the off-side boundary. That lesser-spotted yorker finally makes an appearance in the middle of the over before Glenn Maxwell crashes a pull away to the leg side to bring up the fifty partnership off 23 balls.

  4. Join the debate at #bbccricket

    Fenners: Just remind me why Tredwell isn't picked, again? Best bowler.

    Deano: England can go past 350 on this pitch, don't know what people are worrying about .

  5. Geoffrey Boycott
    Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

    "It's hard work for England, but the bowlers haven't helped. The last seven or eight overs have been a problem for England for a while. Some of the numbers are mind-blowing."

  6. Aus 321-6 (Broad 10-0-66-2)

    Stuart Broad comes on to bowl his final over to a chorus of boos from the MCG crowd. Haddin shows a class touch opening the face and guiding the ball for four past third man. That man then comes up in to the circle and Broad decides he wants to bowl the slower ball bouncer. More class from Haddin as he just lifts the ball over the infield for four more. This partnership has reached 40 already.

  7. Join the debate at #bbccricket

    Wisden editor Lawrence Booth: Yorkers may be tough to bowl, but why do England never even seem to try?

  8. Geoffrey Boycott
    Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

    "Woakes is bowling that slower ball almost every ball it seems. The batsmen know what's coming - we do and we're up in the commentary box."

  9. Aus 310-6 (Maxwell 57, Haddin 7)

    Among all that action from Maxwell, I haven't had time to mention that it's Brad Haddin in with him now. He gets going with a pull shot for four from yet another Chris Woakes slower ball bouncer. Anyone hear a broken record?

  10. Join the debate at #bbccricket

    Ed Palmer: This will be a huge score. We consistently underestimate what the good sides can reach. Over 300? 350 at least.

  11. Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport in Melbourne

    "How are you with heights? This is the view from the very top of the MCG. Climbing it is a feat itself. England's chase is starting to look like a much tougher ascent."

    MCGBBC Sport

  12. Aus 299-6 (Finn 9-0-63-2)

    More runs come flowing from Maxwell as he tickles one down to fine leg for four more at the end of that destructive over. Australia almost past 300 now with four overs to go.

  13. Geoffrey Boycott
    Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

    "Glenn Maxwell can play. If he can harness his concentration, he could maybe make the Test side. He has a wide range of shots."

  14. 50 for Maxwell

    Maxwell dispatches Steven Finn away to the leg side for four and The Big Show reaches 50 in quickfire time.

    Glenn MaxwellGetty Images

  15. Maxwell dropped on 42

    It's a tough one, but it'll go down as a drop as Maxwell takes a big swing and edges through to Jos Buttler. He puts one hand up to reach it, but can only tip it over the bar goalkeeper-style and away it goes for four.

  16. Geoffrey Boycott
    Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

    "When the blood's rushing, we've all done it: first ball, new bowler, have a dart. If he had just taken a little time, a few more balls..."

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

  17. WICKET

    Mitchell Marsh looks to dispatch Steven Finn over the ropes, but doesn't get the full meat of the bat on a tempting short of a length ball. It loops up to long-off and Joe Root has plenty of time to set himself and take an easy catch.

  18. Aus 281-5 (Woakes 9-0-54-1)

    Whatever happened to the art of bowling a good yorker? Pardon my whining, but Chris Woakes serves up two pretty dreadful deliveries at the start of the over which Mitchell Marsh dispatches for four with ease as the lack of pace and length give him plenty of time to choose his shot. Maxwell doesn't want to miss out on this buffet and helps himself to four off the final ball as he glances it down to fine leg.

  19. Join the debate at #bbccricket

    Pete Bancroft: I often wonder what England's ODI analyst does all day? Still no plan for Finch despite knowing exactly how he plays.

  20. Geoffrey Boycott
    Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

    "I'd have batted Glenn Maxwell above George Bailey, he's a better batsmen. He's got a better eye and you need to give your best batsmen as much time as possible. In terms of Michael Clarke, he cannot return until he is fully fit. If he breaks down, the selectors might start thinking they can't take him to England for the Ashes."