Live Commentary: World Cup - Australia vs. England - as it happened

The World Cup is here! Months of build up has finally been put aside for some cricket, and I'm sure you're all very relieved. New Zealand and Sri Lanka got the tournament underway in Christchurch earlier, and we'll now be taking you through England's meeting with Pool A rivals Australia in Melbourne.

Before we go any further, let's remind you of the two groups. Four teams from each group will reach the quarter-finals, and every team will play each other once. Get ready for around seven weeks of thrilling cricket!

Pool A: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka

Pool B: India, Ireland, Pakistan, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, West Indies, Zimbabwe

ENGLAND WIN THE TOSS AND WILL BOWL FIRST: Eoin Morgan and George Bailey have just met in the middle, and it's England who win the toss and elect to spend a few hours in the field first. Bailey claims that he would have batted anyway. Interesting decision from Morgan. There was some rain around early in the day, but it's a sunny one in Melbourne now.

ENGLAND: Moeen, Bell, Ballance, Root, Morgan, Taylor, Buttler, Woakes, Broad, Finn, Anderson

AUSTRALIA: Warner, Finch, Watson, Smith, Bailey, Maxwell, M Marsh, Haddin, Johnson, Starc, Hazlewood

Morgan confirms that Gary Ballance comes in for Ravi Bopara, whose poor form in the build-up to the tournament has cost him a spot in the side. Ballance is expected to bat at three, with James Taylor being forced back down to number six.

There's no surprises from Australia, either. Michael Clarke will be back for the second game against Bangladesh, so he's just a spectator today. Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson lead an excellent pace attack.

If you've missed, the World Cup is already underway. New Zealand reached 331-6 from their 50 overs in Christchurch thanks to half-centuries from Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson and Corey Anderson, and Sri Lanka are currently 52-0 from 11 overs in their chase.

I'll keep you updated with the action in Christchurch, but our focus is on the match in Melbourne. Australia are considered the favourites to lift the trophy for a fourth time, and their preparations have been excellent. England have been on the wrong end of so many defeats to their fierce rivals in the past year and a bit, so is this a formality? Certainly not. Anything can happen at the World Cup, and if England's bowlers start well, they'll be very confident.

We're set for 100 overs of cricket this morning, but it could be the first 10-15 which set the tone. Australia open up with Aaron Finch and David Warner, two of the most feared players in international cricket. If England allow either batsman to settle into their game quickly, Australia will be in three figures before Eoin Morgan can say strewth!

England's preparation has been a bit of a mixed bag. In the tri-series Australia were dominant, but Morgan's men looked good against a below-par India side. An emphatic win over the West Indies should have boosted the squad before the disappointing defeat to Pakistan in the final warm-up. Do they know their best team? Probably not. After one of the most turbulent years in the history of the England cricket tea, the fans, staff and ECB hierarchy are praying to avoid another disaster.

In this format, a loss in your opening game can never have too big of an impact, especially on these two sides, but momentum can be crucial in the tournament. England need to be positive from the first ball. Australia have been in fine form, but it's whether they can handle the pressure of being favourites and co-hosts. The Aussies are expecting the trophy.

There's match-winners all the way down this Australian batting order.

71.3 - Steven Smith has scored 499 runs in his last nine ODI innings in Australia, at an average of 71.3. Form. — OptaJason (@OptaJason) February 14, 2015

The two sides are out on the Melbourne turf, and the two national anthems have been played. It's not full just yet, but the officials are expecting a packed house. The action is just a few moments away.

Australia vs. England at the MCG on the opening day of the World Cup. Does it get any better than this? Get yourself a cup of tea and settle in for a few hours of following the drama with me. James Anderson will bowl the first ball to Warner.

There's some nice shape for Anderson early on as he finds a nice length with the first ball. Warner stays on the back foot for the first three balls, knocking a single into the off-side midway through the over. Finch doesn't look as comfortable as he plays and misses just outside off-stump. That will please Anderson. Drop! He won't be pleased anymore. Finch flicks a straighter one straight to Woakes at head-height, but he fumbles the ball at mid-wicket. He should have taken that. Could England regret that mistake? Three runs off the first over.

The Australian fans greet their favourite Englishman Stuart Broad with some jeers. I'm sure that still doesn't bother him too much. Warner clips a single down to fine-leg off the second ball of the over. Finch comes across his stumps again to pick up two with a flick off the thigh pad. He hasn't looked comfortable early on as he swings at a wider one from Broad. Good bowling.

Lovely bowling from Anderson as he hangs one out wider to beat Warner's outside edge. Four dot balls are followed by a nudge through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. It's another good over. Decent start from England's opening bowlers.

Finch hits the first boundary of the day with the calmest of lobs down the ground for four runs. Broad responds with a shorter ball which Finch miscues through mid-wicket for three more. He didn't have any control over that pull shot. The change of batsman causes problems for Broad as the left-handed Warner hits three runs through square-leg when Broad drifts onto the pads. Morgan moves second slip to a catching position at short mid-wicket. Shot! Poor from Broad. Finch is being allowed to find his rhythm as he rocks back to pull a short ball for four. A single to Finch makes it 15 from the over. Warner 7 Finch 16*

Anderson is keen to stay full, but the half-volley allows Finch to drive past mid-off for four runs. Root is forced into action at deep square-leg as Finch picks up two more. A wide down the leg-side follows before Finch punches three runs into the off-side off the back foot. Warner then takes the aerial route past Taylor at mid-off. The fielder gets close to the ball, and he probably should get more of a hand on the ball. It's four more to Australia! Warner goes even straighter with the next drive for another boundary. 18 off the over. Australia are cruising.

There's some confusion when Finch nudges the ball to mid-on. Warner is called through for the run, but luckily he recovers from a slip to get back before Anderson can take aim. Finch attacks a wider one, and a thick edge gives him a single. Warner is fortunate to see an inside edge miss the stumps, and Ballance does well at fine-leg to stop a boundary. Superb fielding from the Yorkshire ace. Umpire Kumar Dharmasena signals a wide when Broad sneaks one down the leg-side. Australia take six from the over.

Anderson gets his line wrong as Finch shuffles across his crease to bring up 50 with four through fine-leg. The seamer recovers well to keep it tight for the rest of the over. Just one more run ainch has 31 from 26 and Warner is on 18 from 16 balls.

It's too short from Broad again as Finch pulls another single down to fine-leg. Shot! Broad is still battling to find the right length, and Warner shows no mercy as he rocks back to pull four over square-leg.

WICKET! WARNER (22) B BROAD: England make the breakthrough! Broad goes much fuller and finds the swing to beat Warner's defence. It's an excellent delivery. Shane Watson in next.

WICKET! WATSON (0) C BUTTLER B BROAD: It's two in two for Broad! He finds the perfect length to catch Watson's edge and Buttler does the rest with an easy catch behind the stumps. That's where you have to bowl on this pitch. Broad is on a hat-trick.

Smith survives! Broad goes for the yorker, but Smith gets enough bat on ball to keep the seamer out. Broad thinks he has another when Buttler takes a catch off the bouncer. No bat involved, so no review from Morgan. Much better from England.

Morgan makes the first bowling change of the day as Woakes comes on to replace Anderson. It's a nice start with a full ball, but Finch sits back to cut the second delivery away for a couple of runs before clipping a single to fine-leg. Woakes keeps it tight against Smith, who has to be considered the key man due to his form in recent months. Solid defence on show. Three off the over.

Broad has found his rhythm now as he forces Finch into an awkward position. Australia's still manages to pick up a couple of runs with a thick edge. A straighter ball is nudge into the leg-side for a single. Smith gets off the mark with an inside edge for one. Broad is bowling a better length, but Australia find the gaps easily. A couple of sharp bouncers finish off the 10th over.

Shot! A wide ball outside off-stump is smashed through mid-on by Smith. Woakes doesn't seem to know how he hit the ball through there, but it's four anyway.

WICKET! SMITH (5) B WOAKES: England claim a huge wicket. Smith shuffles across the crease again but he can only get an inside edge on the ball as Woakes hits the stumps. England are delighted, and they have the momentum now.

Captain Bailey comes to the crease, and he starts with a good leave just outside off-stump. He gets off the mark with a single to fine-leg. Finch adds another at the end of the over. England need to keep this pressure on.

Morgan makes another change as Steven Finn replaces Broad. Finch picks up the pace of the new bowler well to pull the second ball through square-leg for four. Finn struggles to settle on the right line early in the over. Finch finds another run to fine-leg. Bailey gets caught on the crease, but he manages to get bat on ball to defend. Five runs off the over. Bailey 1 Finch 47*

Woakes drifts too wide at the start of the over as Finch cuts through point for two. 50! Finch reaches his half-century from 42 balls with a push to mid-off. It's been a typically powerful start to the innings. He holds the key for Australia from here. Taylor is given the unenviable duty of fielding at short-leg, and he's immediately cracked on the ankle by a Bailey pull shot. Ouch! He manages a smile, thankfully. There's a few laughs moments later when Bailey stumbles at the crease while pulling another short ball away for a single.

Much better from Finn. He keeps it tight just outside off-stump for most of the over to keep Finch quiet. A wider one invites a wild swing, and Finch breathes a sigh of relief. Australia take two from the over.

Finch gets across the crease again to nudge a single into the leg-side. Woakes finds a nice line outside off-stump to Bailey, who seems happy to get forward and play. A shorter ball allows the skipper to pull a single to deep mid-wicket. Finch adds another to fine-leg. England have pulled things back in Melbourne. Time for a drinks break.

UPDATE: Sri Lanka are 133-6 after 33 overs chasing 332 to beat New Zealand. The Black Caps will fancy their chances from that position.

Finch attacks a wide one from Finn, but he can only find a single to mid-off. Bailey pushes the ball down the ground and there really should be a single. Finch is ball-watching, but his partner manages to get back easily. Bailey has no control over a shot past point as he takes his hand off the handle to collect three. Finch adds one more, and Bailey gets two through third-man. Decent stuff from Finn.

Great work from Taylor at backward point to limit Finch to a single by getting a hand on a powerful cut. Sloppy from Woakes, who should stop a push from Bailey, but it's just one run. Finch pulls for another single. Just three off the over. England are doing a good job, but they'd love to get Glenn Maxwell in sooner rather than in the latter stages of the innings.

Good running from the Australian pair as Finch earns two with a late cut through third-man. Finn finds some extra bounce to surprise Finch, who is happy to fend the ball off. Another single comes through point, but it's good work from Finn as he continues to settle into his rhythm. Bailey is fortunate to avoid Bell at point with a slightly miscued cut. A wicket would do wonders for Finn, and indeed England. Finn appeals for lbw when Finch shuffles across, but the umpire isn't interested. No review on this occasion.

Anderson is back into the attack for his fifth over as a replacement for Woakes. There's no slip in place, which is a little bit of a surprise. Morgan may be thinking of a field change now as Bailey plays and misses outside off-stump. It's a very good return for Anderson. Bailey isn't given an inch to free his arms until a cut to deep point for two.

It's time for some spin as Moeen Ali comes on to replace Finn. The all-rounder wants lbw first ball, but he hits Finch high on the pad. Lovely line and length early in the over as Finch is caught between coming forward and staying back. Finch picks up a single with a push to long-on. That's the only blemish on the over. Great start from Ali.

Excellent work from Anderson to keep Finch from finding the room to attack. England have slowed the run-rate, and that's crucial in these middle overs. Since reaching his 50 from 42 balls, Finch has scored 13 off 28. That's a good sign for England's bowlers. Two from the over. Bailey 15* Finch 63

Clever shot from Bailey as he drops to one knee to scoop Ali round the corner for four runs. It's a great response as Bailey miscues a defensive shot into the air, but the ball lands safely. A single follows to long-on, before Finch plays the sweep to get four more. The pressure is on Ali now. Just one more added.

Six! Finch clears the rope for the first time with a stunning stroke over extra cover. He didn't even need to find the middle. Anderson responds well, but Finch manages to pull a short one to deep square-leg for a single. Bailey adds another to make it eight from the over.

Bailey turns one around the corner for a single, and Finch follows his partner's example to pick up a run of his own. The former then comes forward to push Ali to long-on for another run. Australia continue to rotate the strike as Finch guides a single to third-man. Bailey 23 Finch 77*

This could be a key few overs. Joe Root comes on for his first over, and it's no surprise to see Finch attack immediately as he slog-sweeps for four. Australia will want to take full advantage when facing the off-spinner, who needs to get through some overs. Six! Finch has no problem attack. He doesn't find the middle, but the ball still manages to clear the rope at long-on. A single hands the strike to Bailey, who can't find the gap after coming down the crease. 11 off the over.

Ali doesn't get the line quite right, and Finch uses the quick outfield to cut four past backward point. A nudge down the ground brings a single, and Bailey rotates the strike again with a push into the leg-side. Ali then wants lbw, but Finch gets outside the line of off-stump. Australia look comfortable again. Bailey 24* Finch 93

Root is taken out of the firing line after just one over as Broad returns. Bailey pushes one into the leg-side, before Finch hurries through a single with a nudge to cover. Shot! Too short from Broad, and Bailey rocks back to pull the ball to the rope.

UPDATE: Sri Lanka are 216-8 in the 42nd over in Christchurch. New Zealand set a target of 332 and they look to be on course for a very comfortable win.

Ali really isn't bowling poorly, but Finch and Bailey are using their feet well to find the gaps. It's another comfortable six balls for the co-hosts. Four off the over.

Bailey gets off strike midway through the over with a single down to fine-leg. Finch is edging closer to an excellent hundred, but he is made to wait by Broad, who completes a much better over. Just a couple added to the total. Bailey 32 Finch 96*

Finch lives dangerously by playing across his front pad to clip a single to square-leg. Bailey rocks back to pull another run through the same area. The crowd thinks a cut will do the job, but Finch picks out Bell at point. Another single arrives with a push into the leg-side. He's two away.

Australia decide to take the five-over powerplay, which makes sense with both players set at the crease. 100! The helmet is off for Finch. He was dropped in the opening over, but he's responded magnificently on his home ground to reach three figures with four through fine-leg. He'll fancy a few more, too. Brilliant knock from Finch. Australia collect 11 from the over on Finn's return to the attack. Finch displays his class again with a powerful drive past the outstretched hand of Finn.

The pressure is back on England now. Woakes is back for the second over of the powerplay. Buttler thinks there's an edge when he takes a catch down the leg-side, but Woakes shakes his head. Root hits the stumps after Bailey eases home following a call for two from Finch. Bell does well on two occasions to stop Finch from cutting past backward point. Broad gets to the ball quickly at mid-on to restrict the centurion to a single. Bailey makes it four from the over. Bailey 34* Finch 112

Finn comes out of the attack once again to be replaced by Broad. Australia are in a very good position now following a difficult spell earlier in the innings. England are fielding pretty well, but the singles are flowing now. Broad does well to pull it back with three dot balls to complete the over. Good bowling.

There's plenty of batting to come for Australia, and these two will have license to start teeing off. Both men seem keen to work the ball through third-man, but England have Finn there to plug the gap. Finch manages to pull a good bounce away for a single. Bailey uses a fuller ball to loft a drive over mid-off for four runs. It's another comfortable over for Australia.

RESULT: Sri Lanka have been dismissed for 233 in the 47th over to give New Zealand a 98-run victory in their opening match in Christchurch. That's a great start for a side who many believe are finally ready to win this title.

Anderson is back into the attack for the final over of the powerplay. Bailey and Finch pick up a single each, before the former gets out of jail when a miscued pull goes straight into the air. Both Broad and Ballance are interested in the catch, but neither get close to the ball. Anderson does not look happy. There's some sarcastic cheers when Ballance fields the ball cleanly later in the over. Six runs come off the over. Bailey 47 Finch 117*

Finch rocks back to cut the returning Ali to third-man for two. Shot! Superb from Finch as he brings out the reverse-sweep to send the ball racing away to the rope. Taylor stops a traditional sweep a ball later, but an awkward throw to Buttler means that there's no chance of a run-out. Six! Slog-sweep over the rope from Finch. Superb display of power from the opener. He follows that with a cut through the covers for four. Australia are on course for a very big total.

England desperately need a wicket, so Morgan turns to Finn for a breakthrough. Bailey leans back to cut through third-man, and he's almost run-out. The throw comes in from the deep, but Finn misreads the bounce at the stumps and he's almost struck on the head. Bailey should have been gone. A slower ball bouncer is called for a wide, much to the delight of the Australian supporters.

WICKET! FINCH (135) RUN OUT (MORGAN): Finch's fantastic innings comes to an end. An awful call for a single spells the end as Morgan hits the stumps from wide mid-off. Superb fielding from the England captain, but the applause is for Finch, and deservedly so.

In all of that madness, Bailey reached his 50! Maxwell is his new partner, and he gets off the mark with a single through third-man. It's nine off the over. Bailey 52* Maxwell 1

There's plenty of time for Maxwell to cause more problems for England in the latter stages of the inning. Anything around 300 is definitely an achievable target batting second on this pitch, but Australia will fancy their chances of scoring a lot more. Maxwell's confidence is clear as he reverse-sweeps over two fielders for four. Ali, in his eighth over, then watches Maxwell heave a single to deep mid-wicket.

WICKET! BAILEY (54) B FINN: Bailey has used the third-man region well, but he is unable to find the right contact this time as Finn sneaks one through off the inside edge to hit the stumps. This is what England wanted. Australia have two new men at the crease.

Mitchell Marsh is the new batsman for Australia. England need to keep the pressure on and continue to take wickets. Australia still have batting to come, with Haddin and Johnson in next. Finn follows the wicket with some good bowling as Marsh picks up just a single with a thick edge. Maxwell adds one more to keep the strike. Great over from Finn.

Maxwell and Marsh both pick up singles at the start of a new Ali over. The former then breathes a huge sigh of relief when a miscued slog sails over the head of Buttler to land safely. Australia pick the gaps well to take seven off the over. 60 balls left in the innings.

Good work from Maxwell to find the gap at mid-wicket for a couple of runs at the start of a new over, and he adds another with the latest of cuts down to third-man. Finn does well to keep Marsh quiet, though. Just three off the over. England need more of that from the seamer, who can bowl two more.

Broad returns to the attack with a beauty to beat Maxwell's outside edge. Maxwell then lofts a drive into the off-side, but the ball splits two fielders and he picks up a single. Marsh opens the face of his bat to rotate the strike again. Maxwell then charges down the crease to clear mid-on for four runs. He goes again, and despite not finding the middle of the bat, it's four more.

Shot! Woakes is back into the attack, but the Australian charge is coming. Marsh stands tall to drill four past mid-on. A single to deep square-leg hands the strike to Maxwell, who is struck on the elbow as he looks to pull a slower bouncer. Another couple of singles are scored behind square on the leg-side. A leg-bye makes it eight off the over.

Anderson is back as Morgan continues to rotate his bowlers. Maxwell scrambles a single after getting some bat on a slower bouncer. Marsh sits back to nudge a run to mid-on. Another short ball arrives, this time a faster one, but Maxwell finds a single once again. England are happy to let the singles flow at this stage. Australia want boundaries. Maxwell delivers one by steering the ball over cover for four. Maxwell 32 Marsh 12*

Shot! Marsh can hit the ball very, very hard. He cross-bats a short one from Woakes to reach the rope with a stunning shot. A punch down the ground brings four more off the next ball. Root does brilliantly at deep square-leg to stop a third successive boundary. Marsh then clips a yorker into the leg-side for a single. Maxwell piles on the misery by working the final ball through fine-leg for four. 15 off the over. It's great news for Australia.

WICKET! MARSH (23) C ROOT B FINN: Boy, did England need this wicket. Marsh attempts to clear the long-off boundary, but Root ignores the shouting from the crowd to take a simple catch as Finn claims his second wicket.

Haddin is the new batsman, but he watches on from the non-striker's end as Maxwell drives through extra cover for two. Shot! Poor from Finn. He strays wide and Maxwell cuts over point to add four more to the total. Finn responds by catching the edge, but Buttler can only get a finger on a ball which races away for another boundary. Maxwell will just keep on coming. Finn delivers a needless short ball and Maxwell reaches his 50 with a fine pull shot. It's four more when Maxwell flicks the ball through fine-leg. A wicket, and more importantly, 18 runs from the over. Maxwell 54 Haddin 0*

Haddin pushes Woakes into the covers to give the strike to Maxwell at the start of the over. That's the 300 up for Australia. It's going to be a tough day from here for England. Maxwell adds two, before giving himself room to find a single with an inside edge. Haddin turns a full toss into the leg-side for a couple of runs. Shot! This won't faze Haddin, who reaches 3,000 runs in ODI cricket by pulling four through mid-wicket. One more makes it 11 from the over.

Superb from Haddin as he skips down the track before opening the face to steer the returning Broad through third-man for four runs. Ballance does well on the long-on boundary to restrict Haddin to two off the next ball. There's no stopping him from guiding a shorter ball over third-man for four more. This is poor from England. They dragged Australia back, but they've bowled poorly in the last few overs. Broad's final over goes for 11.

England need to change these tactics. Anderson sends a short one down and Haddin rocks back to cut into a wide open space on the off-side. It's eight from two balls when Haddin cuts past backward point. Anderson then finds a better line, but Haddin still manages to nudge a single to long-on. Maxwell misses with a wild swing after backing away to the leg-side, before Anderson delivers another dot ball with a rare yorker. However, Maxwell hits back with four past wide long-on. Six more balls to go.

The first ball from Finn would be a wide, but Maxwell decides to cut over point for three as Broad upsets the crowd by stopping the boundary. There's no stopping the next shot as Maxwell fires the ball through the covers for four. Too short again from an England bowler! Maxwell then pulls into the leg-side for a single.

WICKET! HADDIN (31) C BROAD B FINN: Haddin goes for the big shot, but he can only slice the ball into the air. Broad sprints in from the third-man boundary to take a fine catch diving forward. Mitchell Johnson is in next. Two balls to go.

WICKET! MAXWELL (66) C ROOT B FINN: Wow! Even the Australian supporters are clapping when Root dives across at long-off to take a stunning catch to remove Maxwell, who can't believe he's out.

HAT-TRICK! What a moment for Finn. Johnson hits the final ball of the innings straight to Anderson at mid-off to hand Finn a hat-trick and a five-wicket haul. It's a nice way to end the innings, but Australia are firm favourites to win this match from here.

If England are going to chase down this big total, they have to get off to a great start and that will mean being positive against Johnson, who has caused them so much misery in recent times. Can they claim a dramatic win? Or is this total enough for Australia?

We'll take a break during the interval, but make sure you return in around 20 minutes for England's run-chase. If you missed any of the action take a look at the scorecard below. Quite simply, England did not bowl well enough in the latter stages of the innings.

Fall of wickets: 57-1 (Warner 22), 57-2 (Watson 0), 70-3 (Smith 5), 216-4 (Finch 135), 228-5 (Bailey 55), 281-6 (Marsh 23), 7-342 (Haddin 31), 8-342 (Maxwell 66), 9-342 (Johnson 0)

Bowling figures: Anderson 10-0-67-0, Broad 10-0-66-2, Woakes 10-0-65-1, Finn 10-0-71-5, Moeen 9-0-60-0, Root 1-0-11-0

Welcome back everyone. England need 343 to win their opening Pool A game against Australia, who piled on the runs thanks to half-centuries from Glenn Maxwell and George Bailey, as well as a stunning knock of 135 from Aaron Finch, who was dropped on 0 by Chris Woakes. Do England stand a chance? The first 10-15 overs will set the tone.

Moeen Ali and Ian Bell are out in the middle for the start of England's chase. One of these players have to deliver a big score. Mitchell Starc will open the bowling for Australia. 343 is the target. Play!

Starc begins his over with a sharp bouncer which Ali leaves alone. England's opener is encouraged to play at the next ball as he watches a swinging ball go past his outside edge. Warner does superbly at backward point to stop a late cut from Ali. It's a maiden from Starc, who beats the bat once again at the end of the over. England can't afford to have many of them in this innings. If they win today it would be their highest successful run chase in ODI cricket, and the highest winning score batting second in an ODI at the MCG.

Hazlewood is trusted to open the bowling alongside Starc, which means Johnson will have to wait to get his teeth stuck into this England batting lineup. There's some shape early in the over for Hazlewood, but the umpire decides that he drifts too wide. He quickly finds the right length to force Bell into a couple of defensive strokes. Bell gets off the mark with a single to fine-leg. Another wide follows from Hazlewood. Ali then swings wildly to miss outside off-stump again, before slicing a couple to third-man.

Starc is bowling with very good pace again, which is very good news for the Australians. Bell is forced into an awkward position as the left-arm seamer targets the body. A thick outside edge from Bell brings England's first boundary, and he adds another run by guiding the ball through third-man.

Shot! Bell gets onto the front foot to drill Hazlewood through the covers for four. Hazlewood then drifts down the leg-side to deliver a third wide, before Bell opens the face of the bat to pick up a single. Moeen finds the middle of the bat for the first time to loft the ball to the cover boundary, and he follows it with an excellent drive through extra cover for four more. It's not been a very good start from Hazlewood.

Bell attempts to guide a short ball from Starc over the two slips, but he can't make contact. An open-faced shot through third-man hands him a single.

WICKET! ALI (10) C BAILEY B STARC: Ali wants to be positive, but he can only miscue a pull straight to Bailey at mid-on. It's an easy catch and Australia make the breakthrough.

(TARGET 343) Buy yourself a lottery ticket, Mr Ballance. England's new batsman gets an inside edge on the first ball, but he somehow manages to avoid dragging on. It's fast, aggressive bowling from Starc. Excellent work.

Starc does well in the deep to stop a firm pull shot from Bell. Hazlewood continues to struggle with his length, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see Johnson soon. Bell adds two more with a nudge through square-leg before flicking a single off the pads. Ballance displays excellent timing to send a drive through extra cover for four. Bell 17* Ballance 8

Huge cheers greet Johnson's introduction to the attack, but it's a surprise that he's replaced the impressive Starc, who might switch ends. Bell shuffles across his crease, and a leg-bye allows him to get off strike. Ballance guides a single down to third-man. Johnson sends a wide down the leg-side, but it's just three off the over.

Hazlewood continues into a fourth over. A fumbled piece of fielding off his own bowling allows Ballance to sneak through for a single. Bell then hurries through for a run of his own when the ball stops by his feet after a defensive stroke on the back foot. Better from Hazlewood.

Shot! Johnson is too full and wide, which allows Bell to loft four runs over cover. Johnson keeps it pretty tight for the rest of the over as Bell adds just one more, with Bailey producing an excellent piece of fielding at wide mid-off. Bell 23* Ballance 10

There's another change as Marsh comes into the attack for the first time. England might consider targeting the all-rounder, but in truth, they need to score runs off everyone. Bell gets off strike at the start of the over.

WICKET! BALLANCE (10) C FINCH B MARSH: Finch moves to short mid-wicket and he immediately takes an easy catch to remove Ballance, who will be disappointed with the shot. Marsh has his first World Cup wicket. A tough challenge just keeps getting tougher for England.

(TARGET 343) Joe Root gets off the mark immediately with a single. Bell makes the perfect connection with a cut shot, but Smith dives to his right to execute a stunning piece of fielding.

Johnson remembers Root very well. Just over a year ago, Root's smile during a miserable Ashes series for England certainly was not welcomed by Johnson, who sends a bouncer just past the Yorkshire batsman's shoulder. Root uses a wider ball to find a single to third-man. Bell takes the aerial route on the off-side to pick up three runs.

England really do make things difficult for themselves.Change of Batting line up and team really does send a wrong message..!??. #CWC15 — Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 14, 2015

Bell steers the ball past backward point for a single early in Marsh's new over. Haddin does well behind the stumps to stop the ball when Root can only get a bottom edge on a pull shot. A nudge into the leg-side brings a single. Shot! Marsh drops one in short to allow Bell to cut through point for four runs. Bell 32 Root 3*

Captain Bailey makes another change as Watson comes into the attack. Root is always happy on the back foot, and he punches a single into the covers at the start of the over. Bell pulls for a couple as Johnson cleans up in the deep to prevent a boundary. Singles are easy to come by, but England need boundaries. Five off the over.

Marsh is keeping things steady at his end. There's not as much noise coming from the stands now, and it's because Australia are cruising.

WICKET! BELL (36) C STARC B MARSH: Bell's eyes light up when Marsh drops one in short, but it's the Australian fans who are celebrating again when Starc, who is about 15 yards in from the rope, takes a good catch.

WICKET! ROOT C HADDIN B MARSH: It's two in two for Marsh! Root mistimes his shot completely to send the ball straight into the air. Haddin calls for it early, and he holds his nerve to take the catch on the dive. Marsh has a third wicket, and he's on a hat-trick. Morgan and Taylor are at the crease.

Marsh is on target with the hat-trick delivery, but Morgan starts his innings with a solid forward defence. Excellent stuff from Marsh, who now has 3-9.

(TARGET 343) Taylor is shuffling across his crease to Johnson, who seems to be getting quicker with every delivery. A couple of calm defensive strokes are followed by a wild swing outside off-stump. Taylor survives the over by sneaking a single off the final ball.

Taylor picks up a couple of runs early in a new over from Marsh, before nudging a single to mid-off. The required run-rate has crept up to just below eight runs an over. Marsh fires in a good bouncer to force Morgan to pull away. Another one follows and the over brings just three runs for England.

A fan who has probably had one too many beers in Melbourne has decided to run onto the field, which causes a delay before Johnson's latest over. Johnson's opening bouncer is called wide, perhaps because Taylor is one of the shortest men in international cricket. It doesn't take much to clear his head. Johnson produces a beauty midway through the over to beat the outside edge as the crowd starts to get involved again. Taylor pushes the next ball straight at the bowler, who throws it straight back at the stumps. A leg-bye makes it two extras from the over.

Marsh has bowled really well so far in this innings. He knows his job, and he makes it difficult for the batsman to free his arms at the crease. Taylor is forced to stick to his defensive strokes for much of the over, but he does find a single down the ground. England are going nowhere at the moment.

WICKET! MORGAN (0) C HADDIN B MARSH: It just keeps getting worse for England as Morgan is sent packing for another duck. All credit must go to Haddin, who is forced to change direction to take a one-handed catch when Marsh catches the bottom edge as Morgan looks to get off the mark with a pull shot. It's turning into another embarrassing day for England in Australia.

Australia have the luxury of turning to Maxwell now, and the spinner will be delighted to see Taylor come out of his crease at the start of the over. Luckily for England's number six, he gets the single. A couple of leg-byes are followed by a first single for Buttler. Taylor then adds another to long-on. Maxwell drifts down the leg-side to deliver a wide. Six off the over.

(TARGET 343) Marsh, who already has 4-13 off five overs, continues his spell. Taylor slices a single into the off-side to get off strike midway through the over. Buttler easily ducks under a sharp bouncer from the all-rounder, but he looks uncomfortable playing and missing outside off-stump. A single into the off-side finishes another excellent over from Marsh.

Shot! Buttler starts Maxwell's latest over with a superb reverse-sweep for four runs. Taylor and Buttler pick the gaps well to add six more, but England remain 252 short of their target.

WICKET! BUTTLER (10) C SMITH B MARSH: Marsh has five wickets, and he deserves a lot of credit, but Smith has just stolen the show! Buttler couldn't hit a drive any better, but Smith throws himself off the ground at short extra cover to take a stunning catch. You won't see a better one at this tournament.

Woakes is the new batsman. Marsh is bowling with excellent rhythm as the Melbourne crowd still try to come to terms with Smith's effort in the field. A shorter ball allows Woakes to get off the mark with a single to fine-leg. Taylor steals the strike by nudging a run into the leg-side. Marsh has 5-18 from seven overs. That's a superb effort from the all-rounder.

Australia fancy a quick finish to the game, and Starc is back into the attack. Taylor continues to look solid in defence, but can only pick up a single for loft over backward point. Woakes reaches the rope with a lovely shot through mid-wicket. Five off the over.

Hazlewood returns to the attack for a second spell after struggling earlier on. Taylor opens the face of the bat to steer a single to third-man, and there's a few cheers from the England fans as their side reach three figures. Woakes shuffles across the crease to nudge a couple behind square on the leg-side before pulling a single to mid-wicket. Taylor charges down the crease and enjoys some luck as a sliced shot sails away for fur down to third-man.

(TARGET 343) Good running from the England duo as Woakes earns three with a push into the covers. Taylor rotates the strike again by taking a single to deep point and Woakes opens the face to earn a run to third-man. Starc can't find another breakthrough as Taylor steals the strike at the end of the over.

Hazlewood bowls a very straight line to Taylor, but an lbw appeal ends in disappointment with the umpire rightly predicting the ball would have missed leg-stump. Drop! Taylor miscues the pull shot and it looks like Finch will take the catch. By his standards it's an easy one. Taylor gets a life. Haddin then thinks he has Taylor caught behind off the short ball. There's no movement from the umpire, but Bailey decides to use the review. There's a possibility it could have clipped a glove, but there's nothing from snicko. Not out. Taylor 22 Woakes 12*

Smith is thrown the ball. It's usually a mixed bag from the part-time leg-spinner. England take singles from the first two balls. The length is slightly too full until a shorter ball allows Woakes to cut for three past backward point. Taylor then rocks back to pull through mid-wicket for four runs.

Maxwell is back into the attack. A Woakes single hands the strike to Taylor, who earns a couple with a reverse-sweep before nudging another run to long-on. Australia have just taken their foot off the gas in the last few overs. England add seven more to the total.

England are picking up runs now as Taylor pushes four runs down the ground, with Finch failing to stop the ball on the rope. A cut through point brings three more. Smith can't stop the flow of runs. Bailey might turn to Johnson or Starc soon in an attempt to finish the match off. 10 from the over.

(TARGET 343) Shot! Superb from Taylor as he reverse-sweeps Maxwell to the rope for four. It will be in a losing cause, but scoring a few runs could be important for Taylor. Maxwell gets his line wrong, which allows Woakes to sweep four more past short fine-leg. England add 12 in the over. Taylor 43 Woakes 29*

Bailey continues to rotate his bowlers as Watson returns, but these two look pretty comfortable at the crease. There's easy runs on offer for both men. It's four from the over.

Marsh, the man with five wickets, is back into the attack and he goes past the outside edge when Taylor attempts cut. A push to mid-on hands the Nottinghamshire batsman a quick single. Woakes then plays and misses outside off-stump, before living dangerously by driving just short of Smith at short-cover. A single off the final over allows him to keep the strike.

Woakes sits back to pull Watson through mid-wicket for two, before nudging a single off the pads to hand the strike to Taylor, who picks up a run down to third-man. The noise levels are dropping by the over. It feels like a net session for Taylor and Woakes. Time for the batting powerplay. Taylor 47* Woakes 35

50! Taylor reaches his half-century in style by clearing the rope over fine-leg. Another shot in the air brings him a single down to third-man. Woakes quickly hands the strike back to his partner, who skips down the pitch to launch four over mid-on. Marsh continues to change his pace, but he can't stop Taylor taking a single down the ground. 13 off the first over of the powerplay.

(TARGET 343) Starc is back into the attack. Six! Superb from Taylor as he continues a flurry of attacking shots by sending the ball over the long-on boundary. Another big swing follows, but he misses outside off-stump. Starc comes around the wicket to cramp Taylor for room with a sharp bouncer. Two singles are picked up late in the over as these two continue to frustrate Australia.

WICKET! WOAKES (37) C SMITH B JOHNSON: It's no surprise to see Johnson return to the attack at this stage, and he delivers the goods as Woakes lofts the slower ball straight up in the air to give Smith an easy catch at mid-off.

Broad is the new batsman, but he's at the non-striker's end as Taylor adds two more to his total. Taylor leans back to use the space of Johnson to guide four runs over where first slip would be standing. Lovely shot from the Notts batsman. Four more runs arrive with a cut past point. Taylor 76 Broad 0*

WICKET! BROAD (0) B STARC: Broad looks like he's expecting the short ball and he doesn't stand a chance of keeping out an excellent fuller delivery from Starc.

Starc delivers a sharp, wide bouncer before beating Finn's edge with a couple of beauties. Another bouncer arrives late in the over and Finn is happy to watch the ball race past his nose. Finn gets some bat on the fuller one to pick up the single. Great over from Starc.

WICKET! FINN (1) C&B JOHNSON: The end is near. Finn has no chance of ducking a bouncer and he can only offer Johnson the easiest of return catches. Anderson walks out as England's number 11.

The Aussies don't like Jimmy. That much is certain. He's probably expecting the short stuff, but a full ball is blocked and the next ball drifts down the leg-side for four wides. Anderson drives at a fuller ball and gets to the safe end thanks to an inside edge. Taylor wants to get as many runs as possible, but he can't make contact with an ugly slog across the line. He does manage to pick the gap at the end of the over to earn four through point.

Starc searches for the yorker, but a full toss allows Anderson to get off strike with a single. Shot! Superb from Taylor as he backs away to guide the ball over Haddin's head for four runs. Another big swing follows, but he can't find the middle this time. A couple to deep square-leg keeps him on strike. Drop! Bailey puts the dive in to get a hand on the ball at backward point, but he can't cling on to dismiss Taylor, who uses the extra life to earn four more with a thick outside edge. Taylor 92 Anderson 1*

Good work from Anderson as he guides the opening ball of the over down to third-man to get off strike. Taylor skips down the track to pick out Bailey with a powerful cover drive. Johnson finds the edge, but Taylor's attempt at a shot through third-man is stopped by Haddin. Taylor then shuffles across the crease to find two runs on the leg-side. Great response from Johnson to finish the over with a bouncer. Taylor's wait for a hundred goes on.

Anderson still looks to be expecting the short ball as he backs away from a full one which Haddin does well to take. England's number 11 then frustrates Starc even more by edging one away for four runs. Taylor will get another chance to reach his century.

Hazlewood is back on, but the focus is on Taylor now as he moves to within two of the hundred with four runs thanks to a mistake from Starc at mid-off. Oh dear. Taylor goes to the other end with a leg-bye when he attempts to heave the ball into the leg-side. Has he missed the chance? Close! Anderson fends off the short ball, and he breathes a sigh of relief when it drops just short of Warner on the off-side. Taylor is back on strike.

REVIEW: Drama at the MCG. Taylor is given out, but he immediately reviews and hawkeye proves that the ball would have missed leg-stump. Australia thought they had Anderson run out too, but the ball was surely dead when umpire Aleem Dar gave the lbw decision. Well, we're shown the replays so that suggests Anderson will be given out. The match was over a long time ago, but this is absolutely dreadful from the umpires. It should have been a dead ball. Taylor is not happy at being robbed of the chance of scoring a World Cup century.

AUSTRALIA WIN BY 111 RUNS! It's a bit of an anti-climax at the MCG, but the big story is that Australia have cruised to an emphatic win over England. They've outplayed England today, and the co-hosts look very strong.

Taylor is still furious, and I think he has a case. The Australian players are delighted. This is just the start of a long campaign for both sides.

That's all from our live coverage. Australia start with a win, while England need to improve quickly if they are to challenge the biggest sides in this tournament. Join us at 3am on Sunday morning for coverage of Pakistan vs. India. Goodbye.