Relive how Australia won the World Cup

On Twitter: ICC's Dave Richardson lets cat out of the bag on TMS by admitting next two World Cups will be reduced from 14 to 10 teams because of TV deal. I'm sure the largesse for the ICC from the World Cup TV deal will be a major consolation to teams like Ireland, Scotland & Afghanistan.

Former England pace bowler Steve Harmison on BBC Radio 5 live: "The big surprise for me was India - they didn't look confident going into the tournament but they came very close to winning it at the end. Whereas West Indies and England didn't turn up."

Former England pace bowler Steve Harmison on BBC Radio 5 live: "Australia have got strength in depth - if anything's wrong with Michael Clarke, George Bailey comes into the side and captains. If not, he doesn't play. Brad Haddin holds them all together and when the big occasion comes, he stands up to be counted. England would never dream of picking two players like Finch and Warner at the top of the order."

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Former England one-day wicketkeeper Paul Nixon on BBC Radio 5 live: "Australia just bowled so straight, they gave no width. Geoff Boycott talks about the corridor of uncertainty but in one-day cricket you just want to free your arms, and we saw so many balls fly through second slip, gully or point. We thought England were in a good place until the last Ashes, but Australia have come back and got stronger and stronger. They're in a good place."

Former England pace bowler Steve Harmison on BBC Radio 5 live: "Batsmen aren't scared of pace any more. If you get it slightly off at pace, it's going to go to the boundary. Australia have won the tournament by bowling in the right place at the right time."

This is what the World Cup trophy looks like close up. Nice, isn't it?

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Former England pace bowler Steve Harmison on BBC Radio 5 live: "At the start of the World Cup there were four powerhouses, they all got to the semi-finals, and probably the best team won it. Australia were rightly champions. Everyone asked if it would be power, sixes and fours and scoring 400, but in the end I thought the team who bowled the best would win the World Cup - that's why I went for South Africa. But the left-armers have been able to swing it at pace."

Former England one-day wicketkeeper Paul Nixon on BBC Radio 5 live: "As an Englishman you're always hoping for Australian to make a mistake. But I'm delighted for Darren Lehmann who's a top bloke and was a stalwart of county cricket. Australia attacked the new batsmen very well today and never gave them a sniff."

Australia 186-3 from 33.1 overs won by seven wickets

Not out batsmen: Smith 56, Watson 2

Fall of wickets: 2-1 (Finch 0), 63-2 (Warner 45), 175-3 (Clarke 74)

Bowling figures: Southee 8-0-65-0, Boult 10-0-40-1, Vettori 5-0-25-0, Henry 9.1-0-46-2, Anderson 1-0-7-0

New Zealand 183 (45 overs): Elliott 83, Johnson 3-30, Faulkner 3-36

NZ won toss

Listen to TMS commentary via the audio tab.

Scorecard

Australia lost Aaron Finch for a duck, bowled by Trent Boult, but Michael Clarke ending his ODI career with a flourish and hitting 74 off 72 balls to see his side over the line. It was a procession in the end.

In case you're just joining us, Mitchell Starc took the roof off the MCG with a searing yorker which bowled Brendon McCullum for a duck in the first over of the game. Grant Elliott's 83 gave New Zealand hope of a decent total but they lost their last seven wickets for 33 runs. Ominously, Mitchell Johnson was on form from ball one - bowling fast and furious and picking up figures of 3-30.

More from Mitchell Starc: "I've worn my black armband every day of training and playing since it happened. He will never be forgotten and he's definitely part of this World Cup squad."

More from Mitchell Starc: "After the game in NZ, we knew we had to assess McCullum as we went. I got a plan going to bowl a decent yorker to him first up. I'm not sure how the first one missed, but the third one hit."

Player of the tournament Mitchell Starc: "It's nice to see bat dominate ball every now and again. There's been some big scores, but the whole tournament has been fantastic. We've worked really hard at our bowling. The whole bowling unit was awesome."

The Australian press conference is coming up. First we'll hear from Mitchell Starc and James Faulkner...

Daily Mail cricket correspondent Paul Newman: Typically classy of New Zealand to postpone retirement announcements until later so all attention on Australia after their World Cup win...

Mark Cohen: As is so often the case, a semi-final not the final was the best game but Australia played their best when it mattered most.

"Brendon McCullum's press conference finishes with a round of applause. I've never seen that before."

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum: "We've created memories and friendships that will last for the rest of our lives. It would have been nice to have won it, but I'm sure everyone will be proud of what we've been able to achieve."

Press conference gold...

Journalist: "Were you tentative in the first over?"

Brendon McCullum: "I ran down second ball, didn't I? Hadds asked me if I was still going to have a crack, I said 'too right I am'. I did try to block the one that got me out."

Brendon McCullum is still talking to the assembled media: "I don't think we're the finished product just yet, but we're heading in the right direction. We have a group prepared to buy into team plans and play an aggressive brand of cricket. We are starting to get there. It's hard when you've lost a final, but we're richer for the experience. We need to keep getting better, but we're going the right way about it.

"Starc was a bit too good for me today. He deserves the man of the tournament."

Sunday Times cricket correspondent Simon Wilde: One of the oddest features to this World Cup is the steep drop in run-outs. Only 39 in all, compared to 60-something in last two World Cups... maybe no-one is bothering to run any more, just whack boundaries. New Zealand good fielding team but they didn't run out anyone.

Mike Johnson: We might have to introduce a Handicap system: "And England won the toss! They will bat first with 200 on the board"...

What can England learn from Australia?

"They've got the structure right here in Australia. There's enough English players out there who play an exciting brand of cricket, but my worry is the pace of the bowlers. Even Bangladesh had two seamers bowling quicker than the England seamers. There's not a lot of mystery spin in England - but there's not a lot of mystery spin anywhere in the world as they're all in Cardiff having their actions tested!

"The pace element needs to arrive - the next World Cup is in England in 2019, and they've got four years to bring players into that side. Even take a backward step if you can bring some players in and get them used to it."

More from Brendon McCullum: "It's just cricket. You can't have any regrets. You got out and play it as well as you can but if the other team is better, you cop it sweet.

"We've lost two finals to them [also the 2009 Champions Trophy], but we're a lot different to back then. I don't put a great deal on losing finals, it's just a good thing that we're making them."

Here's more from New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum: "I thought it was a good toss to win. The pitch played OK, which you saw through Ross and Grant. They were able to swing the ball. If we bowled, they might have got 400. We thought runs on the board was the way to go and had we got 260, we might have had a different conversation now."

"This press conference is so packed, journalists are identifying themselves by shouting fielding positions. 'Brendon, over here, wide mid-off'. 'Come catching' is a reply typical of McCullum."

"It was only three months or so ago that Michael Clarke was at an absolute emotional low after the tragic death of Phillip Hughes - he'd have liked to have hit the winning runs today, but it did give him the chance to walk off to an ovation."

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum at the post-match news conference: "Clarke has been an outstanding cricketer for Australia, he deserves to bow out a WC winner. Congratulations to him.

"There may be guys who in our group who will retire. We'll let the dust settle, because this is about Australia. It's the right thing to allow them to bask in their glory.

"They were too good on the day. They put us under early pressure, we re-gathered, then they came again. They stepped up in the key moments. It was a convincing win. But maybe if we played them again tomorrow it would be a different story."

"This Australia team is up there with the other teams which have won World Cups - they're brilliant in the field, versatile, and have timed this run to victory like great racehorse trainers have trained their steeds to win Melbourne Cups.

"Steve Smith said earlier in the tournament that the aim was to be playing their best cricket in the last week, and that's what they've done. We've got two Mitch gunslingers in this team, it won't be Clarke leading the team any more but it's a mighty fine team."

Ryan Knight: Biggest let down of the World Cup was Dale Steyn...

Let's look at the stats that matter....

Most runs in the tournament: M Guptill (NZ) 547, K Sangakkara (SL) 541, AB de Villiers (SA) 482.

Highest scores: M Guptill 237 (NZ v WI), C Gayle 215 (WI v Zim), D Warner 178 (Aus v Afg).

Most wickets: M Starc (Aus) 22, T Boult (NZ) 22, Yadav (Ind) 18.

Best bowling: T Southee 7-33 (NZ v Eng), M Starc 6-28 (Aus v NZ), T Boult 5-27 (NZ v Aus)

Martin from Stoke: So World Cup over and I think it's been a poor one. Excitement isn't necessarily generated by big six hitting and double hundreds but by close matches and there have been precious few of those. Games involving Associate nations have been the highlight.

Dawn from Kings Lynn: Australia beat two of the best teams (India and New Zealand) on the way to win the World Cup. Thoroughly deserved.

The Australian players are now savouring a beer in the sanctuary of the changing rooms. There's three cool boxes stacked up. It could be a lively night.

I should also point you in the direction of the story we have done with ICC chief executive David Richardson, who has been speaking to Test Match Special.

Talking about the so-called minnow, he said: "We have to make sure we don't put associate members into tournaments just for window dressing. We must ensure Ireland and Afghanistan get more resources and play more full members on a more regular basis."

We're going to try and keep this live rolling while we wait for the post-match news conferences. Stick with us, folks.

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England wicketkeeper Matt Prior: Gutted for Brendan McCullum and the Black Caps but hats off to the Aussies. Seriously good team playing seriously good cricket. Also congratulations to @MClarke23 for an outstanding ODI career. Leading his team to a World Cup is one hell of a way to bow out.

West Indies opener Chris Gayle: Congrats @MClarke23 & team Australia on winning the #WorldCup2015. #FullJoy #63NotOut #Champions - well done NZ! Great finish pups.

Former England batsman Mark Butcher: Congrats Australia. A high quality, high impact group of players, 95% of whom play Test cricket too. #itsallabouttheplayers

Get it framed, lads. Get it above the fireplace. Savour it for all time.

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Ilyas Najib: Been a long 6 weeks, my sleeping pattern is ruined, I have put weight on with late nights & junk food, but it was all worth it.

"Australia have a series in the West Indies to warm up for the Ashes. We know what England's schedule is - two weeks tomorrow they're bowling the first ball of the Test series in Antigua, then there's Tests and one-dayers against New Zealand."

"England have got to try and play a less attritional brand of cricket against Australia if they're to win the Ashes. They need to be a bit more risky. The top seven are going to have to get most of the runs as eight to 11 aren't going to do well against Johnson, Starc, Harris, Hazlewood, Cummins and Pattinson. We're not really painting a good picture ahead of the Ashes, but that's the reality."

Already, though, thoughts are turning towards the Ashes. How will England cope with the two Mitchells? What can they do to stop Steve Smith? The first Test begins in Cardiff on 8 July.

Spare a thought this morning for London-based Kiwi Peter Thompson. He flew out to Australia on Friday night, went to the game today and is back in the office on Tuesday for an important meeting. It's a long way to go to get beat. Not a bad tale to tell the grandkids though. Check out his story here.

Australian cricket journalist Jesse Hogan: As @VineyTom noted, congrats Launceston in northern Tasmania. Now three to win man of match in World Cup final: Boon 1987, Ponting 2003, Faulkner 2015.

As I type, a press release has popped into my email inbox from Cricket Australia declaring a victory parade will be held for the World Cup winners in Federation Square on Monday. The free fan event will take place at 11:30am (Melbourne time) if you're in the area.

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"People will say McCullum went too hard too soon, but that's the way he took New Zealand to the final. They just came up against a better team - you've got to be very good to keep 150kph yorkers out like those Starc was bowling. McCullum has mainly been doing well against right-arm over bowlers."

Andy, N Ireland: Here's something for the ICC to chew on. It seems to me that their argument for limiting the involvement of Associate nations in future World Cups is that they want to see fewer one-sided meaningless games in the pool phase. Well, in this World Cup most of the meaningless, one-sided games have been in the knockout phase! Apart from the extraordinary semi-final between NZ & SA, all of the other knockout games have been hugely disappointing. Time to think again ICC?

"New Zealand will be disappointed to have lost, but they've played an outstanding brand of cricket with total sportsmanship and respect - think of the boost they've given to cricket in New Zealand."

Here's the moment Australia won the trophy. Ready, steady, party!

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"The Aussies have this brash nature on the pitch, but they're a humble group. This World Cup has been won by the bowlers, and they've got that much bowling stock that it could be a while before anyone catches them. They've not got a spinner like they had with Shane Warne but they've got a huge amount of hunger and talent."

After showering each other with champagne, the Australians set off on a lap of honour. The World Cup trophy is shared around and held aloft by different players as photographers scramble to get important shots. James Faulkner kisses the top of the trophy rather like Laurent Blanc would to Fabien Barthez's head.

Ben from Shropshire: Usually love to see the Aussies fail but with everything that's happened this year you can't begrudge them. #63NotOutForever

Nathan in Leeds: It would have been nice to have a new team win it, but sounds like the best team won. And this is for Phillip Hughes.

Australia captain Michael Clarke: "I'm over the moon. The New Zealand team deserve a lot of credit - they're always a tough team to beat. Congratulations to Brendon and the team on a great tournament. Thanks to every cricket supporter out there, and most importantly, thanks to that amazing team - the way they've stood up and played tonight, they deserve to stand there.

"We played really well tonight. The guys were ready. It's been an honour and a privilege to represent my country in both Test and ODI cricket. The time is right for me to step down from ODI cricket.

"[Asked about his black armband] The band has got PH on it. I will wear it every game I play for Australia. It's been a really tough few months - I'm sure everybody standing on this stage will say we played this World Cup with 16 players. This victory is dedicated to our little brother Phillip Hughes. Hughesy used to party as good as any of them so I guarantee we'll celebrate hard tonight."

The World Cup trophy is presented to the Australian captain Michael Clarke, who roars with delight as gold tickertape is blasted into the Melbourne sky. Above the stadium, fireworks are set off. After jumping up and down excitedly, the players gather round for a team picture. The night of their lives.

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Australia women's seam bowler Megan Schutt: Yes lads! Convincing win. Credit to NZ on their tournament... Aussies just too good today.

Australia captain Michael Clarke is being interviewed now, and he offers congratulations to the New Zealanders and in particular Brendon McCullum. "Well played, mate," he says with a warm smile. B-Mac looks as though he appreciates the gesture.

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Australia coach Darren Lehmann on TMS: "It has been a magnificent performance, kicked off by the bowlers and we got the runs quite easily. We've been working towards this for six weeks and wanted the perfect game in the final, so that's pleasing.

"McCullum had got New Zealand off to fliers in a lot of games so it was a pleasing wicket for us. I knew if we batted 30 overs we'd be about that score anyway. Michael played beautifully tonight - we're going to enjoy the next couple of days and then look to our next goal."

Rob Gallagher: Excellent World Cup overall, shame the final wasn't as close but still the best team won. Congratulations to Australia.

Amelia O'Dubhain: So proud of you Australia Cricket Team. Well played.

And now the Australians step forward to pick up their winners' medals. To a man, they have been magnificent.

Player of the tournament Mitchell Starc: "It was an amazing tournament, with some outstanding performances. New Zealand set the benchmark with some amazing performances.

"I've worked really hard with Craig McDermott, we worked out a plan and to see it come to fruition tonight and throughout the tournament was amazing. Craig and I had a little plan for McCullum so I was pleased to get that one. The support through the tournament's been great."

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Step forward Australia's Mitchell Starc, he of the left-arm spearing yorkers. He took 22 wickets at an average of 10.18, tilting the balance in his team's favour throughout the tournament.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum: "It's been one hell of a ride for us. We played some outstanding cricket, but we ran into an outstanding Australia team tonight who continue to set the way in world cricket. Michael Clarke deserves to bow out as world champion.

"[On the Mitchell Starc delivery that dismissed him] It was a quick one. It all unfolded not as we planned. I thought we got ourselves back in the game at 150-3, but Australia as they do put us back under pressure. We were the second-best team.

"We've got no regrets - as a cricketer this is the greatest stage you can ask for. We've forged memories and friendships that will last forever. The brand of cricket we've is something we're immensely proud of. It is the greatest time of our lives and that's the way we've tried to play the game. I'm immensely proud of all the guys."

Man of the match James Faulkner, who took 3-36: "It's an amazing feeling being in front of 90,000 fans at the MCG and winning a World Cup. It's been an amazing couple of years and we brought our 'A' game today. Normally I get tossed the ball in the powerplay, today it worked out. The physio staff have looked after me tremendously."

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James Faulkner is named man of the match. And it's hard to disagree, New Zealand had laid a solid platform when they reached 150-3, but Faulkner took two wickets in the first over of the powerplay and precipitated a collapse that saw seven wickets fall for 38.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum is gracious in defeat, heaping praise on Australia and admitting his team were second-best. He might be aggressive and like a bulldozer with bat in hand, but he's measured, humble and very likeable when speaking to the media.

"I understand that Cricket Australia are going to announce a squad for the West Indies series and the Ashes on Tuesday."

Ben Stephens: The biggest letdown at this World Cup hasn't been England at all it's been Chris Gayle, he hit one big score and then nothing.

"Captains are only as good as their bowling attacks - this one will be remembered for all those left-arm pace bowlers - Starc, Johnson, Boult and Wahab Riaz. England don't have any at the moment."

The glum-looking New Zealand players collect their runners-up medals. Let's not forget how they have lit up this tournament. The good news is that they are heading to England in a month or so. That should be some series.

On Twitter: A summer which started with the tragedy of Phillip Hughes ends with the triumph of a World Cup win. Well played Aussies.

The dignitaries are introduced to the crowd and ICC chairman N. Srinivasan is booed by some inside the MCG. The man to his right, Sachin Tendulkar, is warmly applauded.

"There are also about seven or eight spectators who'll be getting a split of half a million dollars from a certain brewery for the one-handed crowd catch competition in New Zealand."

"There's a long old wait for the trophy to be presented, not that Australia mind. They are laughing and joking, I think I even saw an imaginary golf swing. For New Zealand, this is a horrible wait. Those glum faces want to be out of this cauldron."

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The presentation is upon us. Just a few thank-yous first from Mark Nicholas, the master of ceremonies.

England pace bowler Stuart Broad: Australia coped with the pressure very impressively. Deserved to win in front of their own record crowd, congrats!

England women's vice-captain Heather Knight: Best team won, simples. Congrats Aussies!

"Daniel Vettori is the first New Zealander to have an ODI career lasting more than 18 years. His career is 18 yrs, three days. Richard Hadlee (17 yrs, 103 days) has the second longest ODI career for NZ."

New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham on Twitter: "It seems strange to say this in the face of a loss but I've never been prouder to be a New Zealander and a New Zealand cricketer."

Neesham was not included in the World Cup squad.

Darren Lehmann looked proud as punch with his players. Never mind a pint, his boys can probably shake him down for a bag of roasted peanuts too tonight.

More from Australia coach Darren Lehmann: "These players just keep fronting up for you day in day out. The support we've had has been unbelievable. The Anzac spirit lives on."

Rob Meech: Two words I never thought I'd say: Congratulations, Australia.

Robin Anthony: Mitchell Marsh joins Geoff as first father & son to win Cricket World Cup!

Parm Bilkhu: The last two World Cups have been won by the host nation. England will be hoping the trend continues in 2019.

Mitchell Starc loves it when a plan comes together. Take a bow, Craig McDermott.

Australia batsman Aaron Finch: "You always dream about this as a kid and for it to finally happen, especially at the MCG, is amazing. When you get in a tournament it's all about peaking at the right time, and the way we've played today has been a credit to everybody."

Australia batsman Steve Smith: "We said we wanted to play our best game at the end of the tournament and to win it three down is unbelievable."

Australia bowler Mitchell Starc: "There were plenty of nerves. [The delivery to dismiss Brendon McCullum] was a little plan Craig McDermott and I have been working on and it was nice to see it come together."

Australia batsman Steve Smith on TMS: "I don't normally get nervous but there were a lot of nerves at the start of the day, the whole bowling unit produced the goods and to be only chasing 180 on this ground was unbelievable. What a way to finish. We said today it was the batters' turn to step up, but it was the bowlers who did it for us again. I can't wait to get back in the sheds and celebrate with the boys. It's a fitting farewell to a magnificent career for Michael Clarke."

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Australia batsman David Warner: "The bowlers did their job really well and gave us a good total to chase. You've got got be positive and every game we've been 100% and done all the right things."

Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin: "The staff have been challenging us to play the perfect game and we delivered on the biggest stage. It's been an amazing four weeks - we've got great support all around Australia."

"For me, it was on a knife-edge before today between Starc and Brendon McCullum for the way he's led New Zealand. But Mitchell Starc has set the tone today and so he'd be my player of the tournament."

*Drum roll*

The vote results for player of the tournament are in. And, it's another Aussie winner.

Mitchell Starc took 26.5% of the vote, Brendon McCullum 19.6% and AB de Villiers 17%. The full results are on this page, or by clicking the 'vote' tab.

DrHolmes: Credit must be given to Micky Arthur. No Micky Arthur=No Power Point-gate=No Darren Lehmann=No 'Back to the Australian style'.

Paul Roberts: If Peter Moores is (please sit down) "the outstanding coach of his generation", what accolade for the Ashes & World winner, Boof?

"In the 11 World Cup finals the winning captain has scored 622 runs from 10 innings with three not outs, at an average of 88.85. Steve Waugh did not bat in 1999."

New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor on TMS: "We had our chances but we've got to give credit to Australia who played better and deserved the win. We're just disappointed for the fans and the people who travelled all the way. We never got it going with the ball, but chasing 180 they were never under any pressure. We gave it our best, we just weren't good enough.

"The atmosphere at a lot of our games was something I'll never forget. Rugby's our number one but for the last two months we've taken rugby off the front and back pages, and hopefully there's a generation of cricketers who can follow in our footsteps and go one better."

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"Looking at the age of the Australians, they should be looking at dominating for a while with the pace resources they've got. I speak to Darren Lehmann regularly and say he's lucky to work with them."

Darren Lehmann is now stood on the outfield being interviewed by television and he looks like a proud dad as he stands in shorts and jacket and lavishes praise on his boys... not knowing Brad Haddin is stood behind him ready to pour an ice bucket over his head.

"That's why I love them," says Boof.

Boof adds: "A week of celebration? Let's have more than that. Why not?!"

You heard it here first, Mrs Lehmann. Your old man is going to party like it's 1999.

Wow, Brad Haddin has told Shane Warne that he's now going to have a beer with everyone inside the MCG. That'll be some party.

"We'll remember this World Cup for Australia driving to victory, but we'll remember the Kiwis in New Zealand going past everyone, and we'll think of that Australia-New Zealand game in Auckland - that was an incredible game, a bit like the tied Australia-South Africa game in 1999."

Karl Bergh: World Cup too predictable in the end. Both NZ and Aus unbeatable at home, SA beaten by rain and D/L, India overrated.

Nitin Sundar: Darren Lehmann: Winning runs in 1999 World Cup. Winning catch in 2003 World Cup. Winning touch all over the 2015 World Cup. Legend.

Tez: All this talk about Oz dominating in England but most of their batsmen are poor against swing as shown in the New Zealand match.

Darren Lehmann embraces every single one of his players with a bear hug. What a job the Aussie coach has done. It's not long since we were talking about the team being in crisis. Equilibrium has been restored. Well done, Australia.

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On Twitter: Well done Australia. Too good today. Best team wins while NZ cricket gets massive shot in the arm from this World Cup.

"It has been a marvellous victory from a very gifted team, with 16.5 overs and seven wickets to spare."

Listen to TMS commentary via the audio tab.

Australia 186-3 from 33.1 overs won by seven wickets

Not out batsmen: Smith 56, Watson 2

Fall of wickets: 2-1 (Finch 0), 63-2 (Warner 45), 175-3 (Clarke 74)

Bowling figures: Southee 8-0-65-0, Boult 10-0-40-1, Vettori 5-0-25-0, Henry 9.1-0-46-2, Anderson 1-0-7-0

New Zealand 183 (45 overs): Elliott 83, Johnson 3-30, Faulkner 3-36

NZ won toss

Listen to TMS commentary via the audio tab.

Scorecard

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"Brilliant performance, the best team in the tournament fantastically led by Michael Clarke. Today they were just too powerful and strong for New Zealand, who have been great throughout the tournament. They've had everything you'd need in a one-day tournament, with the left-arm pace of Johnson and Starc. They've got everything covered."

The Aussie boys can hardly contain their glee as they stand and shake hands with the Kiwis and umpires. Steve Smith is running round, jumping in the air and generally going pretty wild. Brad Haddin, the old-stager, just throws his arms in the air.

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Get those tinnies out, Australia are the champions of the cricketing world yet again. With a flourish of Steve Smith's bat, the ball runs to the square leg boundary and the boys in golden yellow pour onto the pitch to celebrate. Hugs, back slaps and fist-pumps ensue.

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The excitable Aussies jump up and down on the spot, waiting to erupt like a volcano when the winning runs are struck. Two needed now, thanks to Steve Smith's single.

A Tim Southee yorker is dug out by Steve Smith. Michael Clarke smiles... he wants to get this party started.

"Steve Smith is the first player to five consecutive 50+ scores in World Cup matches."

Shane Watson takes a single to put Steve Smith on strike. Three needed to win the World Cup. Hit it for six?

"Smith's made batting look so easy. His foot movement against spin has been excellent, and I think we'll be seeing a lot of him this summer in England."

Listen to TMS commentary via the audio tab.

The Australians gathered on the boundary rope must wait a little longer as Steve Smith - the big tease - defends the final ball of the over.

Make that four to win as Smith brings up his half-century. Get ready folks...

Seagulls scatter as Steve Smith works two through mid-wicket. Six to win. Over to you, Smithy...

"Tremendous innings, tremendous one-day career. He'll be lifting that trophy soon, but he'll have wanted to hit the winning runs."

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"Well done, Michael Clarke. You've given us something to remember with that innings."

Listen to TMS commentary via the audio tab.

New Zealand supporters file out of the ground, and are given a friendly send-off by the Aussie fans. The Australian players and coaching staff gather excitedly on the boundary.

"Michael Clarke's had a good platform set by his bowlers - he's a class act and he's shown it again tonight. Smith improves every game. My heart was hoping for a New Zealand win today, but the boys in yellow just had so much power, and two class players here at three and four who can read the situation."

Make that four successive fours for Michael Clarke, who cuts Tim Southee through point again. He's got somewhere to be. Maybe he can't wait to see our very own Stephan Shemilt in the post-match news conference?

"Michael Clarke's still got a few more years left in him in Test cricket. It just depends on when his back finally goes, or when he's had enough."

Listen to TMS commentary via the audio tab.

Back-to-back boundaries for Michael Clarke bring the required runs below 20. It's now about when, not if.

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The highest cricket attendance in Australia has been confirmed... there are 93,013 people inside the MCG tonight. Big.

Australia 157-2 from 30 overs (target 184)

Batsmen: Smith 57, Clarke 47

Fall of wickets: 2-1 (Finch 0), 63-2 (Warner 45)

Bowling figures: Southee 6-0-46-0, Boult 10-0-40-1, Vettori 5-0-25-0, Henry 8-0-36-1, Anderson 1-0-7-0

New Zealand 183 (45 overs): Elliott 83, Johnson 3-30, Faulkner 3-36

NZ won toss

Listen to TMS commentary via the audio tab.

Scorecard

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.

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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.

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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.

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"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.

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"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.

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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.

"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.

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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.

"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.

Australia 100-2 from 21 overs (target 184)

Batsmen: Smith 26, Clarke 22

Fall of wickets: 2-1 (Finch 0), 63-2 (Warner 45)

Bowling figures: Southee 5-0-35-0, Boult 7-0-29-1, Vettori 2-0-6-0, Henry 7-0-27-1

New Zealand 183 (45 overs): Elliott 83, Johnson 3-30, Faulkner 3-36

NZ won toss

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Scorecard

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Thanks James, sterling work. It's looking ominous for the Black Caps now, isn't it? How do you get rid of Michael Clarke and Steve Smith when there's a World Cup on the line? A wrecking ball? New Zealand are still aggressive in their field settings and body language, Matt Henry digging in a bouncer which Steve Smith easily evades. A single to backward square brings up the Australia 100 and the crowd stands to applaud. They'll be doing a lot of that this evening.

Darren Lyons: Martin Crowe. What a legend, met him in the UK when played league cricket 30+ yrs ago. Please let the Black Caps do it for him.

Ryan Evans: Not a chance Australia aren't going to reach 184. The MCG will be rocking in about 90 minutes tops.

Daniel Vettori, who still seems to be struggling with a leg injury, is recalled to the attack. There's some chat that he may have injured himself during the celebrations for Finch's wicket, which would be cruel indeed.

It would be miraculous if the bespectacled spinner can produce a match-turning spell at less than full fitness, but then again New Zealand are dealing in miracles now. No trouble yet for Clarke and Smith though - they keep the scoreboard ticking towards victory with three singles. With that, it's time for me to hand you back to Marc Higginson.

"Brad Haddin seemed to be talking to Grant Elliott almost every ball earlier. Sad to see the send-off he gave him, there's no place for that in any form of cricket."

Louis Strong: Steve Smith is simply world class. Such quality stroke play and decision making when he bats. And he's 25. Insane!

Jon Akhurst: All this talk of lefties - who would you pick for a CWC15 left handers v right handers match and who would win?

Over to you for the lefties XI v righties XI?

Clarke brings the 'runs needed' quota down into double figures with a clever scoop over Luke Ronchi's head, and then smashes another boundary through gully. The off side is packed with fielders behind square but Clarke is still finding ways to evade them. The dream is fading here for New Zealand.

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"I think McCullum's worked out that the game isn't going to go higher than 40 overs, so he'll just go with Southee, Boult and Henry for now - Vettori looks like he has a problem with his Achilles. If he has to introduce a fourth or fifth bowler later, so be it."

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Wardy: Really glad England are so bad at this one day stuff. We're so far away that the Australian gloating means nothing to us.

Southee, still searching for that magic formula that enabled to him to reduce the England batting order to rubble at Wellington, continues. His deliveries seemed almost magnetically drawn to the stumps that day, but he hasn't quite been able to recapture that form since. Clarke carves him over the slip cordon for another morale-draining four.

"I think you'd throw Kumar Sangakkara in the reckoning for player of the tournament - four hundreds is quite compelling. But it's hard to get past those two left-arm quickies Trent Boult and Mitchell Starc, in a bat-dominated tournament."

DrHolmes: Someone from the New Zealand side needs to do a Wahab here!

Matt Henry keeps plugging away, but this situation is tailor-made for Clarke and Smith - no scoreboard pressure, they can just knuckle down and steadily advance towards this target without taking too many risks. Are we watching Australia's present and future ODI captains?

"Poignant stuff at the back of the press box, where Martin Crowe has appeared. Crowe, the former New Zealand captain, has written movingly about his battle with cancer, even suggesting that this might be the last match he watches. He is being greeted by all who are here - Lara, Pollock, Graeme Smith, Simon Doull, Aggers, Ganguly. There is genuine warmth of feeling."

Rob Gallagher: Is it fair to say this game was decided in that first over, Australia on the front foot straight away, setting the tone?

Now Southee does to return to the attack. The paceman fires down a couple of wides - New Zealand can ill-afford those with such a small total to defend. Smith, who seems to be playing a totally different game at the moment, continues his untroubled progress with a single to third man.

"An excellent set-piece as I returned to the press box from a wander outside. Usual drill, flash the badge at the man on the door, he nods, on we go. There's a pair of Indian gentlemen behind me. 'Sorry, he can't come in.' No badge, apparently. 'But he's the chairman of the ICC'. Sure enough, it was Mr Srinivasan in all his glory."

"Bowlers whose first World Cup wicket was in a final:

"Graham Gooch 1987, Andrew Symonds 2003, Michael Clarke 2007, Matt Henry 2015."

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McCullum continues with Henry for the moment - surely he'll think about bringing Southee back before too long. Henry's arms are momentarily aloft in celebration but they soon drop to his side in bewilderment - he forces Steve Smith into a slightly late forward defensive and the ball trickles back on to the stumps, but doesn't dislodge the bails. Unbelievable.

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Trent Boult continues - it looks like he will bowl right through here. How many wickets do New Zealand need from him before the 20-over mark? Two? Three? He so nearly gets one as well, spearing in a penetrating full ball which forces Clarke into a mistimed shot that flies off the leading edge, agonisingly bisecting two fielders in the covers.

Michael Clarke, playing his last ever ODI, is the new man. Brendon McCullum has plenty of catchers in the slips and in front of the wicket for the short ball, which has been Clarke's Achilles heel in this tournament. But he survives the rest of Henry's over.

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"This is where sometimes the big bats the guys use these days can be your downfall. He's not tried to club that, he's just tried to ride that ball and he'd have known deep square leg was back - no-one can pull a six at the MCG unless you go over fine leg."

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"I'd be attacking the stumps here. Look for lbws, or a nick behind. Or run him out!"

It's just not happening for New Zealand - David Warner almost chops Trent Boult onto his stumps but the ball bounces just over the bails.

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"There have been five ducks in this World Cup final, which is a few behind the eight recorded in 1979. The other nine finals combined clocked up just seven."

Matt Henry does a decent job of slowing the charge, conceding just two runs from his latest over, but economy is no good to New Zealand - they need another breakthrough.

Australia 56-1 from 10 overs (target 184)

Batsmen: Warner 39 from 36, Smith 13 from 19

Fall of wickets: 2-1 (Finch 0)

Bowling figures: Southee 3-0-23-0, Boult 5-0-23-1, Vettori 1-0-3-0, Henry 1-0-4-0

New Zealand 183 (45 overs): Elliott 83, Johnson 3-30, Faulkner 3-36

NZ won toss

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Scorecard

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"The ball's not swinging, and it's hitting the middle of the bat..."

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David Warner is bullocking towards the finish line - he absolutely creams Trent Boult through the covers for another four to take his strike rate above 100. Boult hits him on the pad next ball but it's going down leg - there's more than a hint of desperation in Boult's wide eyes as he appeals vainly for the wicket.

"I'm all for playing your way. But I think in a World Cup final, against Mitchell Starc with a swinging ball, Brendon McCullum didn't give himself an opportunity - he missed his first ball, ran at the second, and was out to the third. It might come off occasionally, and I know he has hundreds of runs in powerplays - but if he'd played normally he might have got off strike second ball.

"Some of Glenn Maxwell's dismissals in the Big Bash left people dumbfounded - now he gives himself 10 balls to get his eye in. But hindsight's a wonderful thing - before the game we were all saying McCullum had to take the attack to the Australians."

Matt Henry, who only a week ago was playing regional cricket in front of sparse crowds, is thrown the ball and asked to haul New Zealand back in to a World Cup final in front of 92,000 people.

His first ball is swatted aerially behind square by Warner and for a brief moment it looks like Corey Anderson at fine leg might be in business, but the ball lands agonisingly short of his grasp as he runs round. You can't help but feel that those near misses have got to go to hand for New Zealand.

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"If I were McCullum, I'd try to get a new ball as it's stopped swinging. Steve Smith's started like a solid rock again."

"The sun is going down on the World Cup, the floodlights are taking effect in Melbourne. New Zealand shuffle the pack, go through their options, tinker with the field. Throughout the tournament, McCullum has taken the option of looking for wickets. Now he has no choice. The crowd looks more golden than it has at any other point in the day, as if more Aussie fans appear the closer they get to glory."

The skiddy left-arm swing of Trent Boult still looks New Zealand's best bet for a wicket. The swing that has been his main weapon looks to be wearing off though - and it's all too easy for Steve Smith to punch him to mid-off on what still looks a pretty flat wicket.

"Vettori doesn't quite have to perform a miracle, but my goodness, the captain needs something from him here. Warner's had a funny tournament, a big hundred against Afghanistan but little else."

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Can Daniel Vettori, the old stager, provide it on what looks set to be his farewell ODI appearance? He still looks to be struggling with a leg injury, but it's in the fingers that the old magic resides. He can't summon it first up though - Australia safely negotiate three from a tidy over.

"Smith's keeping that left foot out of the way of the line of the ball as he knows exactly what Boult's trying to do, swinging it back into the stumps."

Australia are cantering along at over a run a ball - New Zealand need to knock this runaway train off the tracks before it chugs any nearer to the finish line. Steve Smith, who has been in serene form, plays out four watchful dots to Trent Boult then swivels on a poor short ball and dispatches it to the boundary. The Kiwis need another wicket here.

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"It's amazing. When was the last time Brendon McCullum only had one slip in place at this stage in a World Cup match? If Warner stays in, we'll be having a swift one in 90 minutes."

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Tim Southee absolutely destroyed England in the pool stages but has slightly lost his mojo since then. David Warner is in no mood to let him rediscover it - he smashes his first ball through the covers for four and then collects another boundary with a mistimed pull down the ground.

And then a big miss for New Zealand! Warner pushes hard at a full delivery and gets a healthy edge, but it flashes just wide of Ross Taylor at first slip and runs away for another four. Daniel Vettori had been standing at second slip the ball before, but Brendon McCullum moved him to short cover and left that position vacant. On such decisions are World Cup finals won and lost...

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"With a low score, there's always a thought that you go hard early on. But the only way New Zealand can win is if they take wickets, and Australia should be a bit more cautious. But we're dealing with some big egos here."

David Warner has started fluently here and he picks up his first boundary, leaning into a swinging Boult delivery and punching it through the covers. Boult, bowling to four slips, won't be entirely disheartened to be enticing that sort of shot. More runs for Australia though when Warner flicks fine for three. He has 15 in the blink of an eye - New Zealand need him outta here, and pronto.

"It's almost as if everyone is panicking out there. New Zealand are desperate for wickets and striving for the perfect delivery and David Warner is trying to smash everything to the boundary."

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Tim Southee just gets slightly too wide in pursuit of swing and David Warner slaps him a slightly mistimed shot through the off side, which is well pursued by Kane Williamson to keep it to two. New Zealand will need to hunt like tigers in the field if they are to defend this.

Warner then clips off his toes and the ball is fielded very gingerly by Daniel Vettori at fine leg. The spinner looks in real discomfort - perhaps an Achilles injury? That could be a huge blow for New Zealand.

"Trent Boult now has 13 wickets bowling in the first 10 overs in this tournament. The next best is nine by Jerome Taylor."

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Steve Smith is the new man - coming off the back of four consecutive fifties. He survives the final two deliveries of the over.

"There's about 40,000 Kiwis jumping around in the MCG now. It's the perfect start, it's the swing through the air which did for Finch. If Boult keeps on swinging the ball like that, the technique has to be spot on."

"Aaron Finch is a positive player but he is a slow starter, he struggles to get his feet moving early on."

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Andrew White: Hilarious seeing all the "Bad Sport" tweets re the Aussies.... Poms really are having a dour day.

Ben Vaughan: Neil Fairbrother never gets enough credit for how good a one day player he was, he would be immense if he was playing now.

David Warner gets off the mark with a clip off his legs. Tim Southee gets the ball zipping through, but there's not too much swing in evidence - maybe just a hint of away-movement as he whistles one past Aaron Finch's outside edge. Good start from Southee.

"There's been a bit of heat out there. Grant Elliott copped a bit when he was batting and as soon as Aaron Finch walked to the middle, he started getting some words and the umpire had to step in. You don't want to see that in a World Cup final."

Tim Southee has the new ball. Aaron Finch and David Warner are in the middle. Here we go...

Thanks Mitch. The equation is simple for New Zealand: they need early wickets and plenty of them. If Australia bat for 30 overs, they win. It should be a formality - but this is the World Cup final. If wickets do start to tumble, the nerves will jangle in that Australia dressing room.

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And with Australia about to begin their run chase, it's over to James Gheerbrant to talk you through the next phase.

ICC chief executive David Richardson on TMS: "We're still going to have 48-49 matches. The bottom line is the more matches you have, the more money you make, and this funds all of world cricket - especially below the Full Member level. We're putting money into these teams hoping we'll genuinely have 14 rather than eight teams capable of competing."

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ICC chief executive David Richardson: "Cricket is more than just the end result. The danger is that we don't do anything for the lower end and push them into the World Cup and hope they do well.

"Our fear was that they wouldn't do too well, that UAE might be annihilated, but we sent them on camps beforehand to ensure they performed credibly and to the best of their ability. They did that, which is a credit to our development teams.

"It's more about giving opportunities to everyone and giving more money to the likes of Ireland and Afghanistan so they can compete against full members."

ICC chief executive David Richardson on a 10-team World Cup in 2019: "The matter will be discussed again at future ICC meetings. As it stands we've entered into an agreement with broadcasters for a 10-team World Cup.

"I want it to be a shop window for the best teams in one-day cricket - whether that be eight teams, 10 teams or 12 teams.

"We have to make sure we don't put Associate members into tournaments just for window dressing. We have to make sure Ireland and Afghanistan get more resources and play more Full members on a more regular basis. The debate will still be had as to whether we have 10 or increase it."

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ICC chief executive David Richardson: "This tournament has been well run, they have left no stone unturned. Both Australia and New Zealand have presented the venues perfectly. There have been good crowds, and that hasn't happened by accident. They have involved local communities and priced the tickets right and we've broken all records for attendances."

Former Australia batsman Damien Martyn: Remember only half a job done nothing should be taken lightly against a quality bowling group and in form @BLACKCAPS team... need to bat well.

David Richardson has been located and is on TMS now...

"Brendon McCullum has scored 328 runs in the World Cup and 308 of them have come in the powerplay. He's the reason why New Zealand are here today. It was just the quality of the bowling and the fact the ball was swinging in which did for him today."

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paul warmington: One of the worst things if Australia win the #CWC15Final is four years of Aussie gloating - bad losers but worse winners.

If you're waiting for ICC chief executive David Richardson, then so are TMS... waiting for him to turn up!

What would you do with KP?

Ex-South Africa captain Graeme Smith on TMS: "I don't know the details - but ultimately if he wants to play for England and he's scoring hundreds in the county competition, I can't see why they wouldn't pick him."

How do you prepare to play England, as opposed to playing Australia etc?

Ex-South Africa captain Graeme Smith on TMS: "From a captaincy perspective, you always want to keep control of the game. You look at a gameplan which might keep attacking players quiet and expose those around him. England were always try to hold the game but the big thing for me was about breaking points and pressure. When I played against the great Australia teams, we could hold them until day three but they always had something extra in the tank. That changed for us over time, our breaking point grew."

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Robert Mann: Aiming to match my dissertation word count with Australia's run chase this morning. Only need 3.6 words an over.

Shrochis: Three quick wickets and NZ are right back in this! #clutchingatstraws

Ex-South Africa captain Graeme Smith on TMS: "English cricket is so important to world cricket, I always enjoyed playing there. Whether there are too many counties, I've heard that debate - in South Africa we moved to six franchises which has worked. You often look at English cricket and think 'I wonder why they made that decision'. I think they need some dynamic people in charge there."

How flexible can you be running a team?

Ex-South Africa captain Graeme Smith on TMS: "I took over as captain at 22 and it was a massive learning curve. I worked out my own strengths and weaknesses and my own leadership really took off after 2007. With England, I think their decisions just seem to have been behind the times, they haven't kept up."

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Ex-South Africa captain Graeme Smith on TMS: "There are some great bowlers in this tournament - the likes of Johnson, Starc, Wahab Riaz and Boult. But the rule changes mean the iffy bowlers can't get away with it any more."

Best bowling averages at a World Cup (minimum 15 wickets):

• 10.18 - Mitchell Starc (22 wickets) in 2015

• 12.31 - Andy Bichel (16) in 2003

• 12.85 - Shahid Afridi (21) in 2011

Ex-South Africa captain Graeme Smith on TMS: "It's great to see somebody like AB de Villiers develop the game. He's an unbelievable talent. You don't see him practising those shots, he's just instinctive and so talented."

Listen to TMS commentary via the audio tab.

If you've not voted yet, we're asking you to vote on the player of the tournament. Check out the top right-hand side of your screen - or the "Vote" tab if you're reading us on a mobile device.

The contenders: Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Kumar Sangakkara, AB de Villiers, Mitchell Starc, Trent Boult - and AN Other.

Ex-South Africa captain Graeme Smith on TMS: "I've enjoyed my break. 12 years of captaincy does take its toll. I've been blessed to have a great career but now I'm enjoying new challenges. I'm doing some business stuff, some media stuff and I'm learning all the time, developing."

Aggers has now been joined by former South Africa captain Graeme Smith on TMS.

Listen to TMS commentary via the audio tab.

The biggest (16 teams) and longest (six-and-a-half weeks) World Cup yet in the West Indies featured some early shocks, such as the group stage elimination of India and Pakistan, and the untimely death of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer.

Australia made it a hat-trick of titles with another perfect run of 11 wins from 11, and showed their dominance in the final against Sri Lanka in Bridgetown, Adam Gilchrist smashing 149 from 104 balls as they made 281-4 in a rain-reduced 38 overs.

But a controversial tournament ended in darkness and farce, as Australia were declared winners on Duckworth-Lewis, only for the umpires - erroneously - to order the teams out to play out another three overs of spin, with both sides going through the motions.

Final (Barbados): Australia beat Sri Lanka by 53 runs (D/L method)

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At least we can hope the final finishes in a less farcical manner than in 2007...

As we begin to reflect on this tournament, allow us to share some of the best of social media. Let's begin with that game in Wellington where England were bowled out for 123 and the Kiwis knocked them off in 12.2 overs.

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Ayelet H Lushkov: 300 pea-rollers?

Jack of all trades: Disappointing total from NZ hope the bowlers strike early otherwise it's game over.

Most ducks in an innings in a World Cup final:

• 5 - England v West Indies in 1979

• 4 - New Zealand today

• 3 - West Indies v England in 1979

Richard Simister: What is it with the Australian celebrations, sledging as they dismiss players? The most unsportsmanlike team I've ever seen.

Keep listening to TMS during the interval as Aggers will shortly be speaking to ICC chief executive David Richardson - you can send in your questions via @bbctms on Twitter.

The Australia innings will begin at 08:40 BST.

"It's absolutely brilliant from Maxwell. If and when Australia win this World Cup, then we may reflect on two enduring images of this final. McCullum's dismissal was the foreboding extraction of hope, while Southee's run-out was the perfect demonstration of Aussie dominance. On the outfield, Michael Clarke has some throw-downs. I wonder if he'll be needed."

"If you're an aspiring young right-arm quick, forget it. Put the ball in your left hand - look at the left-arm bowlers in today's final: Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson, James Faulkner, Trent Boult, Corey Anderson - and the spinner Daniel Vettori."

"The lowest target defended in a World Cup final or any World Cup knockout game is 184 (same as today): India 183 v West Indies 140 in 1983."

New Zealand 183 all out from 45 overs (NZ won toss)

Fall of wickets: 1-1 (McCullum 0), 33-2 (Guptill 15), 39-3 (Williamson 12), 150-4 (Taylor 40), 150-5 (Anderson 0), 151-6 (Ronchi 0), 167-7 (Vettori 9), 171-8 (Elliott 83), 182-9 (Henry 0), 183-10 (Southee 11)

Not out batsman: Boult 0

Bowling figures: Starc 8-0-20-2, Hazlewood 8-2-30-0, Johnson 9-0-30-3, Maxwell 7-0-37-1, Faulkner 9-1-36-3, Watson 4-0-23-0

Listen to TMS commentary via the audio tab.

Scorecard

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Australia all-rounder James Faulkner: "Obviously it's a pretty good start by he boys and there's no reason we can't chase the runs. We've been working really hard on our fielding and it was another good performance."

So, if you're just waking up in the UK (and you think it's 7am as you've not put your clocks forward) Australia need 184 to win their fifth World Cup.

Incidentally, if they score 183 for a tie, we go to a champagne Super Over.

Kiwi fans... if you're offered a Super Over at this stage, would you take it?!

"Australia performed superbly in the field, they bowled well and not a single catch went down. There was one dropped in the crowd when Southee hit a six... but I think he might have been a Kiwi. It's not been a happy occasion so far for New Zealand."

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"He didn't get his bat over the line, he stopped short of the line. It was a brilliant, spontaneous reaction from Glenn Maxwell. It looked like a harmless situation but Southee was just taken by surprise."

Trent Boult is the last man for New Zealand - and just what you don't want, when Mitchell Johnson slings down a bouncer off the last ball of an over, is for it to be called an aerial wide.

"Australia are back on course. There was a moment when New Zealand were 150-3 and it looked like it might be interesting. Henry just sliced that one to cover."

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Rob Gallagher: If NZ, can get anything over 200 then they have a chance, obviously a small one, of defending that total.

Far from being someone whose overs have needed to be smuggled through, Faulkner has been on song for Australia today. Southee tries to lift the ball over the ring of four cover fielders, but is struggling to deal with Faulkner's back-of-the-hand slower balls, which are proving unhittable, just as Jade Dernbach's, erm, aren't unhittable. A three through the covers is the only scoring shot from the over - Henry is yet to affect the scoreboard. Faulkner has 3-36 from nine.

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Richie O'HaraBeamand: Ohhhh, New Zealand... this is getting very one sided, congratulations Australia, surely the trophy is theirs from here?

Some of you might recall Southee's Test debut in Napier in 2008, when the baby-faced teenager smashed England all around McLean Park on the final day of the series, but normal service is resumed as Johnson keeps it tight against New Zealand's tail-enders. Southee adds a single, Henry has to rear away from a couple of bouncers.

"Priority number one is to get as many runs as you can. It's not about batting out the overs now. If you see it, hit it."

Tim Southee to face his first ball... and lamps Johnson for six over long-on! Take that!

Barny Giudice: Shadow across the pitch may have played a big part in those wickets. Usually not playing cricket at the MCG this late in March.

Young Matt Henry, who wasn't even in the squad until just before the semi-final when he replaced the injured Adam Milne, survives his first ball.

"A brilliant innings, he played beautifully and timed the ball really well. Faulkner bowled him a slower ball and he tried to slog it. Haddin's having a good day and he wasn't going to drop that one."

Listen to TMS commentary via the audio tab.

"It was a full ball, sheer pace and now New Zealand have real problems. Mitchell Johnson will be bowling as fast as he can at the tail."

New Zealand 165-6 from 40 overs (NZ won toss)

Batsmen: Elliott 78 from 74, Vettori 8

Fall of wickets: 1-1 (McCullum 0), 33-2 (Guptill 15), 39-3 (Williamson 12), 150-4 (Taylor 40), 150-5 (Anderson 0), 151-6 (Ronchi 0)

Bowling figures: Starc 8-0-20-2, Hazlewood 8-2-30-0, Johnson 6-0-19-1, Maxwell 7-0-37-1, Faulkner 7-1-29-2, Watson 4-0-23-0

Listen to TMS commentary via the audio tab.

Scorecard

"I don't think New Zealand will be confident defending anything which they get. They will probably take 230 from here though. What they do have in their favour is Trent Boult but they need to give him something to bowl at."

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Reprieved, Elliott guides a four through third man to end a boundary drought, but two more singles mean New Zealand have only added 15 runs during that powerplay, for the loss of three wickets. Maybe they've borrowed a "batting powerplay coach" from England's vast array of backroom staff.

Andy Harding: NZ won with 152 against Australia last time - don't rule anything out yet.

Height the issue. Impact in line, but umpire's call for clipping the leg bail, so Elliott survives thanks to the DRS for the second time today.

"It feels like an exploratory review but if Australia can get rid of Elliott, it's nearly job done."

Elliott hit on the pad, Faulkner appeals, it's given not out and looks high but unsurprisingly given the circumstances of the innings, Michael Clarke uses Australia's review...

"New Zealand are at a crossroads, they've come to a halt and look like they've run out of petrol."

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Mitchell Starc, unplayable for much of this tournament, begins his seventh over, and it's all Vettori can do to nudge a two through the leg side. Elliott, despite looking well set, is stranded at the other end - he has only faced two balls in the first four overs of this powerplay.

The World Cup returned to England in 1999 and expanded further with the introduction of a Super Six stage, but it was Steve Waugh's Australia who were now in the ascendancy in international cricket.

The game of the tournament - one of the most exciting ODIs of all time - came in the semi-final when Australia and South Africa tied, and the Aussies went through by virtue of a superior Super Six net run rate.

By contrast, the fourth Lord's World Cup final was one-sided. Australia bowled Pakistan out for 132, with star leg-spinner Shane Warne taking 4-33, and their top order knocked off the runs with nearly 30 overs to spare.

Final (Lord's): Australia beat Pakistan by eight wickets

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BBC Hindi's Nitin Srivastava: Am afraid we may see a 1999 WC type final if NZ don't apply themselves now!

Faulkner is back over the wicket to the left-handed Vettori. The former Black Caps skipper, whose 18-year international career has turned him from gawky, speccy student to grizzly, bearded veteran, is off the mark as he drills a four back past the bowler. A single allows him to keep the strike.

Dan Gee: As a speccy, named Dan, with facial hair, who bowls, I hope my NZ cousin can turn things around.

Australia's tails are up, and Faulkner is charging in bowling left-arm round the wicket in the style made so famous by Wasim Akram. Elliott, upon whom so much rests now, can only manage a leg bye to rotate the strike. Something's up with a tarpaulin next to the sightscreen, so there's a brief delay.

"And in the space of eight balls, the game has turned. A brilliant catch, a good ball, an awful stroke. The noise that had left the MCG has been pumped back in, the crowd roaring back to life. Gold (yellow) crawls all over black. A man born in Johannesburg you feel is New Zealand's last hope of World Cup glory."

"Brad Haddin's had plenty to say all day. He's just ran past Grant Elliott, possibly reminding him that it's all on him. From experience of playing against players like Haddin, they don't really swear. They just like to remind you of the pressure and any technical flaws you may have."

Daniel Vettori, who may be playing his final international match according to the hints his skipper dropped a couple of days ago, plays and misses at Starc - and somehow survives the over. Brad Haddin, who's taken some stick on social media for the "send-off" he gave Martin Guptill earlier, is still chirping away at the NZ batsmen between overs.

"Great captaincy, having a slip in place. It was a good catch. Mitchell Starc is geeing up the Aussies, but Luke Ronchi hasn't found any form in this World Cup. Talk about a turnaround."

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Rana W U Rehman: This is game over. Australia will start their dominance over world cricket once again from today for another decade.

The new batsman is Luke Ronchi, who was born in New Zealand but emigrated to Australia and played four ODIs and three Twenty20 internationals for the Aussies before requalifying for his native NZ and playing for them from 2013 onwards.

A World Cup final at the MCG is a far cry from when he plied his trade in the Southern League for Bashley (Rydal) CC, a club based in a New Forest village in Hampshire. He sees out a potentially game-changing over from Faulkner.

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"It's full and straight from Faulkner, and the batsman plays all around it. I love the way Faulkner plays, he's so competitive and in your face. If New Zealand aren't careful they won't score a competitive total because the next man in, Luke Ronchi, has not been in the best of form."

• Today's final saw Taylor and Elliott strike their second 100 partnership in ODIs.
• Elliott has had 24 partnerships with Taylor in ODIs. He has not had more than nine with anyone else.
• Elliott & Taylor are the only players in this NZ team who have scored ODI 100s against Australia.

"That took too long to come to a conclusion. I don't know what they were looking for. It's the worst possible start to the powerplay for New Zealand, losing a wicket to the first ball. Ross Taylor had played well."

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"There's no question it carried for me, it's a brilliant catch by Brad Haddin. It was a back of the hand slower ball."

Batting powerplay on, Faulkner to bowl, the first ball sees an appeal for a catch behind against Taylor as he pokes at a wide yorker and Haddin leaps to his right to catch the ball in the webbing of his glove - but umpire Dharmasena's not sure and sends it upstairs...

The eighth World Cup in 2003 - hosted by South Africa, with games also in Zimbabwe and Kenya - saw Australia triumph with a perfect record, winning all their 11 matches in a tournament now swollen to 14 teams playing 54 games across six weeks.

By now, Ricky Ponting was Australia's one-day captain, and he starred in the final with 140 not out, aided by Damien Martyn's unbeaten 88, as they thrashed India around the Wanderers Stadium, posting 359-2.

Despite Virender Sehwag's 82 at the top of the order, India fell well short and were bowled out for 234 in the 40th over.

Final (Johannesburg): Australia beat India by 125 runs

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Watson opens up with a legside wide, and there are a couple of nervy moments as Taylor hooks a bouncer into the air but out of the reach of a fielder - while a dab to third man from Elliott beats the diving Haddin where it would have been gobbled up by an orthodox second slip.

Meanwhile, the TV pictures show a certain Sachin Tendulkar watching the game down from the posh seats. He top-scored in the 2003 World Cup, but it wasn;t enough for India...

Ilyas Najib: The Taylor/Elliott partnership reminds me of Imran/Miandad in the 1992 final, can New Zealand do a Pakistan? I hope so.

Karim: But can McCullum do it on a sunny afternoon at the MCG?!

More accumulation from Taylor and Elliott - three more singles added.

And one of those esoteric statistics that crop up during these tournaments has, well, cropped up - New Zealand win 84% of ODIs outside Asia when they have at least one century stand. Which they now have...

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So, who has been your player of the tournament? We've just opened up a vote which you'll find to the right of the page on desktop, or via the vote tab on mobile and tablet. The usual conditions apply. Get voting.

The MCG stadium DJ (briefly typed MCJ there, must have been thinking of Mark Nicholas) plays a burst of "Gangnam Style" during the drinks break, but Elliott Style is doing New Zealand very well at the moment - he delicately angles his bat to ramp Josh Hazlewood over the wicketkeeper for four, before a single brings up the century stand.

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"It's been a good fightback. The referral which got changed was a crucial point and Grant Elliott and Ross Taylor have given New Zealand a launching pad for the rest of their innings."

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After that brief two-over burst of Mitchell Johnson, Australia turn back to the medium-fast Shane Watson. He's pretty miserly, old Watto (playing his fourth World Cup) - two singles from it takes the partnership to 95, and time for drinks. Still bright and sunny at the MCG - Messrs Duckworth and Lewis will hopefully remain under wraps.

And for those of you trying to keep track, the Maxwell-Faulkner-Watson axis has now contributed 15 of the 20 overs they'll be expected to send down.

Keith Downey: Bigger is not always better and personally I would hate to see games in large soulless football stadiums designed for a completely different sort of game. We have fantastic cricket grounds in England and we need to help the counties and not take vital revenue away from them. Anything can happen in this game yet. West Indies were in trouble early on in 79, a game I was lucky to be at, and the 83 final was a very low scoring one.

Elliott uses the MCG's long square boundaries well, running Maxwell through the covers for a two and a single, while both batsmen keep long-on gainfully employed by tapping the ball there for three successive singles. Taking it carefully for now, but there's a powerplay on the horizon. Although that may mean the return of Mitchell Starc...

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"Earlier in the tournament, I was at Auckland and a young lad, about four or five, had a New Zealand shirt with 'Elliott 88' on the back. To me, it seemed like an odd choice. I reasoned that the boy's name may have been Elliott, or that he may even have been Grant's son. It turns out the youngster was just way ahead of me in picking a Kiwi hero. Grant Elliott, by the way, missed his sister's wedding on Friday to prepare for this match."

Johnson in for his sixth over, New Zealand plunder five singles. This stand is worth 87 - a number traditionally unlucky for Australians.

The World Cup returned to Asia in 1996, as Sri Lanka - who co-hosted with India and Pakistan - finally put themselves on the cricketing map.

While West Indies and Australia forfeited games after refusing to play in Sri Lanka on security grounds, the Sri Lanka openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana blitzed other teams with their aggressive hitting in the first 15 overs.

Though the openers failed in the semi-final and final, it was the turn of elegant right-hander Aravinda de Silva to shine, hitting 66 in the semi and a match-winning 107 not out in the final after Sri Lanka's quartet of spinners - including De Silva, the emerging Muttiah Muralitharan and future international umpire Kumar Dharmasena - had strangled Australia.

Final (Lahore): Sri Lanka beat Australia by seven wickets

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New Zealand 121-3 from 30 overs (NZ won toss)

Batsmen: Taylor 30 from 53 (2x4), Elliott 53 from 56 (3x4, 1x6)

Fall of wickets: 1-1 (McCullum 0), 33-2 (Guptill 15), 39-3 (Williamson 12)

Bowling figures: Starc 6-0-17-1, Hazlewood 7-2-22-0, Johnson 5-0-14-1, Maxwell 6-0-31-1, Faulkner 4-0-18-0, Watson 2-0-13-0

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Scorecard

Maxwell, as the sole slow bowler in Australia's ranks, rattles through his over pretty quickly - as he probably needs to, to save them from an over-rate fine. Elliott helps himself to a two and a single, Taylor is content to play the anchor role.

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"Grant Elliott is the fifth man to score half-centuries both in a World Cup semi-final and final. Mike Brearley did it in 1979, David Boon in 1987, Javed Miandad in 1992 and Aravinda de Silva in 1996."

With this stand now worth 76, Australia turn back to the marauding Mitchell Johnson as they seek to break it. A slip is posted for Ross Taylor - playing in his third World Cup at the age of 31, having been responsible for some particularly entertaining innings during the 2011 tournament. Stepping towards the off side, he guides a single through backward point.

"Grant Elliott has done a brilliant job to come in and resurrect this innings. He came in at a difficult time, with Mitchell Johnson steaming in and a catcher at short leg. He's weathered that storm well."

Faulkner off, Maxwell on as Australia rotate their second-string bowlers. Taylor and Elliott take it carefully, sweeping and dabbing, knocking easy singles to long-off and long-on, while profiting from a legside wide from the off-spinner. And a chip to long-off for one brings Elliott his ninth ODI fifty from 51 balls - and perhaps one of his most important.

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Jordan Dunant: Elliott and Taylor showing how to rebuild an innings, reckon NZ will finish on 275.

Jay: It's surprising to see KP's views on B Mac, given that KP was the biggest beneficiary of the excuse 'This is the way I play'.

Ilyas Najib: New Zealand need to target Watson, he's the one of the weak links in the Australian bowling line-up.

Assuming that Starc, Hazlewood and Johnson will bowl their full allocation, Australia need to find 20 overs from a combination of Watson, Faulkner and Maxwell - they've managed 10 so far.

An Elliott single brings up the New Zealand hundred, while Taylor - whose strike rate is approximately half that of his partner - edges through the vacant slip cordon (roughly where second slip would have been) for four.

Umpire Richard Kettleborough signals a wide as Watson bangs in a bouncer, while another swipe to third man - this time from Elliott - brings him a two as there's a smart stop on the rope from Hazlewood.

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"Grant Elliott is doing what he did against South Africa. Absorb pressure, wait for the bad ball, drive through or over cover. For the first time, New Zealand fans are making themselves know. There's a chant of 'Let's go, Kiwis, let's go', with flags being waved in various corners of the MCG. How many do they need to challenge the Aussies?"

Elliott carefully dabs a single down to Mitchell Johnson, who's brooding darkly down at third man. What would New Zealand settle for at this point, if you asked them? 240, say? 260?

Paul Moore: Three wickets down and shuffling along at three runs an over... the England set-up would be delighted with run rate and statistics.

Thanks, Marc. Advantage Australia at the halfway mark, but if this pair are still at the crease in 10 overs' time, we know how the Kiwis have firepower to unleash in the last few overs. Left-armer Faulkner to continue, and the Black Caps fans are celebrating again as Elliott crashes a powerful cover drive for four. Play is then held up by... a beachball behind the bowler's arm.

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"I don't understand why the ECB haven't gone for games at Wembley or Cardiff [Millennium Stadium] - imagine playing an Ashes Test match in front of 85,000 people. In New Zealand the rugby grounds work, although the dimensions are different."

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Shane Watson is given a trundle and is greeted by boos by some in the crowd. What's that about? Grant Elliott continues to keep the scoreboard ticking with two lots of two past backward point.

And with that, allow me to hand over to Mark Mitchener for the second half of the innings. I'll see thee later.

"It takes a brave man to come out and swing like McCullum did. Normally you'd see if it was swinging first. Even to have a look at the first one or two deliveries. He'd say 'this is the way I play' but this is a World Cup final - you've got to give yourself a chance."

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Grant Elliott is playing a great little cameo here, swiping James Faulkner for four over extra cover. Now would be the perfect time to strike his third ODI century. The partnership is now worth 50 from 69 balls.

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Muzza in Airdrie: Who says one-day cricket is all about the batsmen, bowlers adapt or die. Kiwis struggling with the bigger MCG boundaries?

"That's what you get with these cricket bats - it's the second top-edged six we've seen, and the first boundary for 11 overs. The straight boundaries here are shorter than in some of the other Australian grounds, but the square boundaries feel like they're 100 yards."

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Mitchell Starc is like a premium box of chocolates for Michael Clarke: the Aussie skipper doesn't want to use up his paceman's quota too early and is taking his time as he looks to spread 10 out over 50. There's some brief respite for New Zealand when Grant Elliott spins on a short ball and it flies for six over fine leg.

Brad Haddin's been getting a bit of stick for giving Martin Guptill a big send-off - and it's not the first time the Australia wicketkeeper has rubbed the Kiwis up the wrong way.

In an ODI in 2009, Haddin was involved in the controversial dismissal of Neil Broom (remember him?), in which the batsman was given out bowled despite Haddin appearing to dislodge the bails with his gloves.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori criticised Haddin's conduct, saying he "should have made more noise about it". Haddin in turn called Vettori's comments "poor" and "low". Was that little contretemps on his mind when he put the boot into Guptill?

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Glenn Maxwell thought he had got Grant Elliott out in his last over, so he's not too impressed when the same batsman rocks back and carves four through the off side. Seven from the over. Better.

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On Twitter: Steady team taking shape at the back of the TMS box.

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Ask any England fan to sum up the 1987 final in three words, and you'll get this answer: Gatting's Reverse Sweep.

The first World Cup played outside England was hosted by India and Pakistan, who both reached the semi-finals - Pakistan pipping West Indies - but bowed out there to set up an England-Australia final.

David Boon made 75 and Mike Veletta a rapid 45 not out, but Australia's total of 253-5 looked catchable until Mike Gatting needlessly tried to reverse-sweep Allan Border's first ball of part-time spin and scooped a catch to the keeper. Despite a late rally, England fell agonisingly short.

Final (Calcutta): Australia beat England by seven runs.

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Check out the picture below. Is that Darren Lehmann? He's gone for it there. Just before the review in the previous over, Grant Elliott played a reverse sweep with the back of his bat. Shades of Mike Gatting in 1987. Mitchell Starc returns to the attack and proves too quick for Grant Elliott who plays and misses. However, a spearing yorker is just too full and Elliott pushes three into the covers.

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"What a good call from the batsman. A gutsy move to use the referral at this stage."

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"One man who read that review well was Kevin Pietersen. Even before the replays, he predicted it was missing leg stump. 'Look where Haddin is going'."

New Zealand 66-3 from 20 overs (NZ won toss)

Batsmen: Taylor 18 from 23, Elliott 15 from 19

Fall of wickets: 1-1 (McCullum 0), 33-2 (Guptill 15), 39-3 (Williamson 12)

Bowling figures: Starc 4-0-8-1, Hazlewood 7-2-22-0, Johnson 4-0-12-1, Maxwell 3-0-14-1, Faulkner 2-0-6-0

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Scorecard

What do I know? Ball-tracking says it's going down leg and not hitting the stumps. Grant Elliott is reprieved, and Brad Haddin offers a few choice words shortly afterwards.

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"When you're given out lbw, all it takes if for the ball to nick the stumps for it to stay with the umpire and be given out, so you're taking a big risk. My gut feel is it might be going down the leg side."

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Woah. Glenn Maxwell beats Grant Elliott in the flight and the ball crashes into the batsman's pads. The umpire says it's out. The batsman reviews, but I think he's a goner.

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James Faulkner has some pretty impressive ODI stats - averaging 43 with the bat and 31 with the ball. He's got a crafty slower ball, but the New Zealand batsmen are up to the task and add another three to their total.

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"We might have one or two other retirements after this World Cup. Brad Haddin hasn't said anything about it, but I don't think he'll play too much more one-day cricket. We're in a holding pattern at the moment, but the Aussies aren't letting New Zealand settle."

There's a few footmarks appearing on the pitch as the surface loses its shine. Glenn Maxwell is trying to land the ball in those dark areas outside the batsman's off stump. The bowling continues to be milked as these two try and play themselves in. Five from the over.

Ben Long: Interesting the English reaction on Haddin. Yep, we're big, fast and mean and we don't care what you think. That's why we win.

Rich Newcombe: What's the 'plan B' for NZ now?

"Clarke's a very positive captain as we've seen throughout his tenure. We've got two of the best captains out there today. It's always disappointing when you see players call it quits, but [retiring from ODIs] should keep Clarke fresh for Test cricket."

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James Faulkner and his left-arm box of tricks is called upon by Michael Clarke. Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott seem to have restored a sense of calm of proceedings as they knock the ball into gaps vacated by the end of the powerplay. Three from the over.

Azharuddin: Maybe it's a Taylor-made day for NZ.

Sam Wicks: Got to love a good send off! It's the final for goodness sake, passions are high!

"Is this pitch as good as we thought? It might just be a little two-paced. The dismissal of Williamson seemed to get a little stuck. The Kiwis have to cling to that. At the moment, their best bet is to scrape to 240, then hope."

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"Someone told me that McCullum has only averaged facing 17 balls per innings at this World Cup. Short, sharp and telling - but it didn't come off for him today."

The Black Caps must feel like they are surrounded by a swarm of wasps as the Australians buzz about in the field and look to deliver a decisive sting. Ross Taylor helps himself to three through mid-wicket to bring up the team fifty. Time for drinks.

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Kevin Richards: Is it wrong that I'm already worried for the Ashes?

Andrew Morris: Surely Amrut (3rd over) is kidding? McCullum couldn't do anything with the three deliveries he faced. Starc player of the tourney.

Shak: McCullum was playing his natural game. If it comes off he takes the game away from Aus; unfortunately not this time.

Mitchell Johnson has not bowled a bad ball yet. He whistles another bouncer past the grille of Grant Elliott's helmet as he looks to set the batsman up by pushing him back and then running one across the right-hander. Ross Taylor is no mug though and he drives three through the covers.

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"The Aussie boys have been very impressive. It just shows the value of strike weaponry in a bowling unit - it's hard to bat against. I'm surprised the ball has swung a bit, you don't often see that at the MCG, but there's pace and bounce there too."

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England women's vice-captain Heather Knight: Big send off from Haddin, no need for that!

Wisden editor Lawrence Booth: Bet Guptill really appreciated Haddin's commentary on his dismissal...

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The Glenn Maxwell experiment lasts just one over and Josh Hazlewood is brought back into the attack. There's a gentle hum enveloping the MCG as everyone digests what they have just seen. The Aussies are in cruise control. They're just like the German football team - they know how to turn it on in big finals.

Andrew Morris: Understand it's a final, but the reaction from Haddin was poor sportsmanship and Not Just Cricket. Definitely want NZ to win now. Would love to see Aus have to chase 300+ given the difficulty of it at the MCG. Oh well. Another 300 total thriller?

Devendra: Indians are celebrating Guptil's wicket as he was threatening to break Tendulkar's record of most number of runs in a World Cup.

Rich: The choke has begun - NZ's luck has finally run out.

Mitchell Johnson stands at the end of his mark, tossing the ball in his hand with the menace of a soldier clutching a hand grenade. The left-arm quick is in one of his destructive moods today and Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott have a heck of a rebuilding job ahead of them.

"It couldn't have been a gentler catch, it might have been one of his cutters. I think Johnson deceived Williamson, who was a little becalmed except for that over from Hazlewood. Elliott was the hero of the semi-final, but he's got a huge mountain in front of him here. Get through him, and you're into the hitters already. I'd think about taking Maxwell off now - but I'm not Michael Clarke."

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"The wheels are coming off New Zealand's innings here. It wasn't an obvious slower ball, but it was the sort of dismissal a slower ball often produces."

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Glenn Maxwell is cleanly shaven today. Perhaps his Mum is watching. He doesn't look as moody, but why would he be? He's just taken a wicket with his second ball in the World Cup final. Ross Taylor is the new batsman and he gets off the mark straight away with a boundary through the covers.

"Most runs in a World Cup: 673 Sachin Tendulkar (2003), 659 Matthew Hayden (2007), 548 Mahela Jayawardene (2007), 547 Martin Guptill (2015)."

"The first ball from Maxwell was pretty ropey, short and wide, and Guptill hit it straight to a fielder. He was trying to make amends for it next ball - it was fuller, straighter, and he missed it. Another big wicket for Australia, both openers gone and both had terrorised attacks during the tournament. Williamson and Taylor both like to take their time and build the innings, but it's a delicate balancing act for them."

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"That's a real bonus for Australia. Guptill went back to a ball he might have gone forward to, and the ball clean bowled him."

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Mitchell Johnson looks in ominous form today. Twice he runs the ball just past Kane Williamson's groping outside edge. There's plenty of pace and a fair few stares towards the batsman from beneath his ample mop of hair and masculine moustache. Just two singles from the over. The Black Caps are just bobbing along without direction at the moment.

"I've heard Starc described as 'Bruce Reid with muscles'."

"Where has this movement come from? We didn't expect the ball to swing. It has. We thought the pitch would be a road, but there's exaggerated seam movement. For 11 overs, New Zealand have barely laid bat on ball. There's more misses than Henry VIII."

New Zealand 31-1 from 10 overs (NZ won toss)

Batsmen: Guptill 14 from 31 balls (1x4, 1x6), Wiliamson 11 from 26 (1x4)

Fall of wickets: 1-1 (McCullum 0)

Bowling figures: Starc 4-0-8-1, Hazlewood 5-1-18-0, Johnson 1-0-1-0

Listen to TMS commentary via the audio tab.

Scorecard

Kane Williamson is really battling out there. After batting back a Josh Hazlewood delivery, he grimaces. His touch might just be returning though as he hangs back on the back foot and drives four straight down the ground. He then pulls three through mid-wicket. Better.

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Paul Edwards: You asked if anyone from Australia was watching. Yes, I'm watching the web coverage instead of switching on the TV (multitasking).

Declan Young: Follow the cricket as a Englishmen in Aus. Three cartons of beer riding on the Kiwis. Need to make up for losses on the English.

Jon Briggs: In Melbourne for #ICCWorldCup2015. Stuck shopping for shoes with girlfriend. #ManProblems

"Johnson hasn't been the main man at this tournament, Starc is the go-to bowler so they'll want a few overs of Starc available for the powerplay. The Aussie bowlers look on their game, but Clarke isn't over-attacking - he only has two slips in."

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Imagine being torn apart by Lionel Messi and then the opposition brings on Cristiano Ronaldo. That's what it feels like at the MCG as Mitchell Johnson replaces Mitchell Starc in the bowling attack and starts with a nasty lifter which crashes into the gloves of a leaping Martin Guptill. That'll sting. Just one from the over.

Vishal: I've left a co-worker's bday party and said no to a pyjama party so I could watch the final. #BackTheBlackCaps

Alex Davies: Kiwis looking a bit overawed by the occasion at the moment, feel they need a big over to get going.

taurai mukahlera: "Right, children, spell D-I-F-F-E-R-E-N-C-E". M-I-T-C-H.

"That one bounced more than Williamson expected. He was looking to lift it over the slip cordon. It would be a mistake for New Zealand to get uptight about losing McCullum, as we've seen at this World Cup how quickly you can accelerate if you have batsmen in who are well set by about the 35th over."

Anybody following us from Australia and New Zealand? Surely it's a get the friends round and fire up the barbecue type of day? Josh Hazlewood has the bit between his teeth as Kane Williamson misses with an attempted ramp shot and cops some verbals from the young quick. Maiden over.

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Kieran Newcombe: Pressure finally got to McCullum? Pretty silly from himself.

Alan Morgan: MCG looking resplendent, it has been a great World Cup so let's hope the final lives up to expectations, great start.

Jack Butcher: This is a 'Starc' contrast on how McCullum must of dreamt it last night! What a start for the Aussies.

The 1992 tournament in Australia and New Zealand expanded to 10 teams after the end of South Africa's sporting isolation.

It was a World Cup full of innovations: coloured clothing, white balls (one at each end), fielding restrictions in the first 15 overs (which led to experimentation such as New Zealand employing Mark Greatbatch as a pinch-hitter and opening the bowling with Dipak Patel's off-spin), and controversial rain rules which famously put paid to South Africa in the semi-finals.

Pakistan, inspired by veteran captain Imran Khan, had limped into the final against a strong-looking England side packed with all-rounders, but Imran's "cornered tigers" prevailed at the MCG.

Wasim Akram broke English hearts with a devastating spell of quick bowling as Graham Gooch became the only man to pick up a third losing finalist's medal.

Final (Melbourne): Pakistan beat England by 22 runs

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The last time the World Cup final was held at the MCG, it was another left-arm quick who dominated. Nope, not Alan Mullally... I'm talking about Wasim Akram.

Mitchell Starc is on fire here, running the ball across Martin Guptill's flailing outside side. Fast, full and darting about... how do you play this type of bowling? I'm not sure I've seen anyone take apart Starc in this tournament, which is a compliment when you consider it's been the highest scoring World Cup ever.

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Neil Leverett: Could Ross Taylor's lack of form be the key in this game?

RebeccaB70: I've done my bet on Australia. Either they're suitably cursed, or I'm winning a dollar forty five.

AlanIreland: Isn't a clothed streaker just a "person"?

Former Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne: Boooooooommmm. Wow, what a start that is for Aust. Well done Mr Starc, just awesome, that first over was as good a over as you will ever see.

The temperature is in the Mark Ealhams (mid-seventies) on this bright, autumnal day in Melbourne. Josh Hazlewood looks a little pink in the face as he continues to bowl a tight, miserly length. Just four runs from the over.

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"The Aussies have bowled very well at Williamson, bowling it full with pace. He's such an important player for New Zealand."

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Hallam Baker-Howard: A massive performer is McCullum for New Zealand but an average a touch over 30! That doesn't shout world class.

S. P. Cooper: Cannot blame McCullum for playing his natural game when it has brought him victory after victory. Sometimes it will fail.

Harry Feachen: Brendan gone early is only leading to a poor show from NZ. Calling it now Australia have this game! BM was the danger man!

Kane Williamson, who hit the six which settled the contest between these two titans in the group stages, is having a few problems against Mitchell Starc. There a couple of plays and misses, evasive action to avoid a bouncer before he's off the mark with a thick edge over point.

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"This is the second successive World Cup that two co-hosts have met in the final, after India and Sri Lanka in 2011. And you know who's hosting in 2019?!"

Jim Maxwell suggests: "So will it be an England-Ireland final? Or England-Scotland?"

Luke Howles: From the very first ball Starc bowled in the tri-series, you knew he was going to have a great World Cup.

Ahmed: It's a joy to watch Starc bowl.

Martin Guptill is now the leading run-scorer in the tournament with a fortuitous top-edge for six over the keeper's head. Unless somebody gets a massive hundred, it's hard to see Guptill losing that crown now.

"This is the first time there has been a wicket in the first over of a World Cup final.

"Starc has bowled 12 of his 21 victims in this World Cup. The second most bowled victims in one World Cup is nine by Wasim Akram in 1992."

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"This is a threat to any batsman when a guy is bowling at 150kph with bounce, swing and control. That screaming yorker was just too good for McCullum."

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Boundaries have been ten a penny in this tournament, but supreme bowling has been few and far between so it's great to see somebody like Mitchell Starc dominating with the ball. The 25-year-old swings another one into the right-handed Martin Guptill but the opener gets an inside edge on to his pads. The batsman then breaks the shackles with a sweetly-timed cover drive to the boundary.

Shrochis: Nepali in the UK nervous for NZ! Captain Fantastic gone now, but hope the non-English Kane comes good today...

Amrut Atre: What an idiotic start from Brendon. Should've stayed there. Not what NZ needed. Naive.

mahmz: The Starc Knight Rises.

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Josh Hazlewood is less dynamic than Mitchell Starc but more metronomic in his line and length. When he does stray, however, Kane Williamson helps the ball to the boundary for four leg-byes.

"Without trying to be wise after the event, you could feel it coming. McCullum played three awful shots, the third to a very, very good ball. The MCG, already 90% full, erupted, while Starc was off on a Imran Tahir celebration run. McCullum knew the dangers of playing that way and he's failed at the worst possible time."

"Did you see that celebration from Starc? He was running away like Alan Shearer, running down to fine leg."

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"The perfect start, exactly where the Australian think-tank would have thought to bowl to McCullum. Get it full, get it straight, a bit of movement and the perfect start. The canary yellows are all up in the ground, they know how big that wicket is.

"The more I see Starc, the more I think he'll have a year like Mitchell Johnson did in Test cricket where he just blows teams away. If you can swing the white ball, you can do it with the red ball."

The majority of the MCG is on its feet as Mitchell Starc completes a tremendous first over. Kane Williamson is the new batsman. What is B-Mac thinking right about now?

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