Aaron Finch, Mitchell Marsh steer Oz to 111-run win in CWC opener against England

Australian opener Aaron Finch and paceman Mitchell Marsh wreaked havoc on England to start their Cricket World Cup campaign on a winning note as they recorded a 111-run victory over Eoin Morgan's men at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Put in to bat first, Australia recovered from a shaky start as Finch steadied the ship for George Bailey's men with his monstrous 135-run knock that helped the tournament co-hosts to set up a daunting 343-run target for England to win.

Finch hit 12 fours and three sixes on his way to the blistering 135-run knock, which was also the first century of the World Cup.

Finch, who was dropped in the first over, went on to put up a 146-run partnership with skipper Bailey (55) for the fourth wicket.

Subsequently, Glenn Maxwell blasted a brisk 66-run knock off 40 deliveries, hitting 11 fours on the way.

Steven Finn was the pick of the England bowlers as he went on to claim five wickets, which also included the first hat-trick of this World Cup. His hattrick came as he claimed the wickets of Brad Haddin, Maxwell and Mitchell Johnson in the last over.

Chasing a hefty target, England failed to build up a solid partnership as openers Moeen Ali and Ian Bell fell for their individual 10 and 36 runs respectively.

Gary Ballance (10) failed to build momentum, while Joe Root also failed to impress with the bat as he fell victim to Mitchell Marsh's express delivery, having scored just five runs.

Morgan's batting woes continued as he fell for a duck while facing Marsh, who ripped apart England's batting line-up with his five-wicket haul.

Resilient James Taylor was the last man standing for England as he remained unbeaten on 98 runs, just two runs short of the second ton of the tournament.