Australia's Aaron Finch scores first century and England fast bowler Steven Finn takes first hat-trick of 2015 World Cup during Group match between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday. 

Steven Finn took a bizarre hat-trick off the last three balls in Saturday's World Cup clash against Australia. 

Like his team mates, Finn had come in for heavy punishment from Australia's batsmen, who smashed 342-9 from their 50 overs, but grabbed some consolation when he became the first English bowler to take a hat-trick at a World Cup.

With three deliveries left in the innings, Finn dismissed Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin for 31 when he top edged a catch to Stuart Broad at deep third man.

Off the next ball, Glenn Maxwell, who crossed during Haddin's deflection, departed for 66 when he was brilliantly caught by a diving Joe Root at long off.

Then off the final ball of the innings, Mitchell Johnson slapped the ball straight to Jimmy Anderson at mid-off, giving Finn an unexpected hat-trick and figures of 5-71.

Finn became just the seventh player to take a hat-trick at a World Cup.

Broad misses hat-trick

Stuart Broad struck a massive blow for England with the wicket of Australian batsmen David Warner and Shane Watson with consecutive balls in the World Cup opener on Saturday but missed out on the first hat-trick of the tournament.

Just when skipper Eoin Morgan's decision to send the Aussies into bat looked it may backfire, the giant Broad stepped up to rock the home side.

He bowled the dangerous Warner for 22 and then with the next ball in his fourth over had Watson caught behind for a duck.

Australia, who had breezed on a 50-run opening stand off just 37 balls, were rocking at 57 for two in the eighth over.

Steve Smith kept out the hat-trick ball by digging out a Broad yorker.