ICC World Cup 2015: Australia seal comfortable victory over England in their opening game

Australia have registered their first win of the 2015 ICC World Cup as the co-host nation defeated their arch-rivals England in their opening game of the tournament at the MCG on Saturday.

The Three Lions won the toss and Eoin Morgan elected to bowl first. The decision to field was set to pay off in the first over when England had an opportunity to send Aaron Finch back to the pavilion.

Chris Woakes dropped Finch when he was on 0 and the right-handed opening batsman went on to score 135 runs off 128 balls dealing the visitors a massive blow.

England bounced back after picking up three quick wickets. However, Morgan's side failed to capitalise on it as they allowed Finch and George Bailey to put on a partnership in the middle with the latter going on to score 66. After the skipper's dismissal, Glen Maxwell paired with Finch and following the opening batsman's dismissal, Mitchell Marsh played a supporting role.

That helped Australia post a total of 342 despite Steven Finn's hattrick off the last three deliveries of their innings.

In reply, England failed to get going as they lost their top six batsman cheaply, perishing for just 92 in the 22nd over. It was Woakes and James Taylor who tried to avoid an embarrassment as they managed to put on a 102-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

After Woakes's dismissal, it was one-way traffic as Australia mopped up the remaining wickets in quick succession. Marsh was the star player with the ball picking up five wickets, while Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc bagged two each.

Australia take on Bangladesh on 12 February, while England face New Zealand a day before for their second game of the 2015 ICC World Cup.