World Cup 2015: Finch Slams Ton, Finn claims hat-trick as Australia Post 342/9

Aaron Finch cashed in after being dropped before he had scored to plunder the first century of the World Cup as Australia scored their highest ODI total against England with 342 for nine at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.

England could not rein in Australia's prodigious hitters and face a formidable challenge to overhaul the hosts' total after winning the toss and choosing to bowl. (LIVE Updates | Scorecard)

Seamer Steven Finn took the 2015 World Cup's first hat-trick with the last three balls of the innings but that was a meagre consolation.

England rued Chris Woakes putting down Finch at mid-wicket on the fifth ball of the innings off James Anderson as the dynamic opener went on to score 135 off 128 balls.

Finch, who thrilled his massive home-town crowd with three sixes and 12 fours, was finally run out by a brilliant piece of fielding from England captain Eoin Morgan in the 37th over.

Finch and skipper George Bailey restored the home side's position from 70 for three to put on a stand of 146 off 156 balls before Finch was caught well short of his ground by Morgan's laser throw at the non-striker's end.

Stuart Broad bowled England into contention with wickets on consecutive balls to remove the dangerous David Warner bowled for 22 and Shane Watson caught behind for a first-ball duck.

Woakes followed up with the prized wicket of Steve Smith for five to have the Aussies wobbling at 70 for three. (Brendon McCullum, Corey Anderson Fashion Easy Win Against Sri Lanka)

Smith, who had a golden summer with four centuries in Australia's four-Test series against India, appeared to play on the Woakes delivery on to his stumps to leave the home crowd in shock at the sudden tumble of wickets.

But Finch and Bailey gradually restored parity with some lusty innings as England's fielding became ragged and all-rounders Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell finished off with some powerful hitting.

The opener flicked Finn off his hip to the boundary to raise his century in 129 minutes off 102 balls with nine fours and two sixes as the local hero became the fourth Australian to score a century on World Cup debut.

Finch's knock was the second highest against England at the World Cup after Viv Richards's 138 not out in the 1979 final.

Bailey, who faces the likelihood of being left out of the Australia team should skipper Michael Clarke return for their next match against Bangladesh, hit 55 before he chopped Finn on to his stumps.

Maxwell smashed Finn for four consecutive fours to bring up his 50 off just 30 balls and finished with 66 and Brad Haddin slammed 31 off 14 balls.

Finn benefitted from Australia's all-out assault finishing with a hat-trick in the final over with the wickets of Haddin, Maxwell and Mitchell Johnson, all hitting out lustily.