10.45pm: India pass over their crown, then, but only after battling their way to last four, having been largely written off before the tournament. They have two of the four leading wicket-takers, in Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami, but the batsmen didn't quite fire when they most needed it. Suppose back-to-back semi-final thrillers was asking a lot. Australia, the World Cup usual suspects, they're into another final and you sense they haven't quite hit top gear yet. New Zealand are already flying, so we could be in for a real treat on Sunday. Brydon's report should be your next stop, then stick around for Match Point and a smorgasbord of analysis from the ground. We'll have plenty of build-up over the next couple of days, then Sid and myself will be back to take a figurative turn around the G. Until then, go well. Cheerio

10.35pm: Time for the post-match speeches, starting with India captain MS Dhoni: "They played very good cricket, over 300 is always a difficult score, I felt it was just over par, they could have had 350. We started okay but they bowled well, they got the reverse swing going. We were happy with where we were at the start of the tournament. We got off to a very good start, Shikhar's dismissal was slightly on the softer side, at a time when we could have had the bowling under pressure. Didn't really need to play a big shot. But you get pressure chasing 300+, makes you do things you don't want to do. There was too much [for me to do], our lower order can't contribute too much in these conditions. Most of the good teams bat quite deep. Not sure [about next World Cup], I'm 33, I'm still running, still fit. Next year, T20 World Cup, will be time to decide about 2019 or not. [Players improved?] Rahane is one, right through the Tests, ODIs, he's improved his batting a lot. I would like to thank the fans, at the end of the day when you play cricket you want people to come and watch, we've been here four months and the fans are travelling all over."

And here's Michael Clarke, Australia's beaming captain, after giving MS a hug: "Obviously really excited, the boys played some outstanding cricket, Smithy's hitting the ball so sweetly and I was really proud of the execution of our bowlers. A lot of the guys sacrificed themselves for the team. Thanks to MS Dhoni and the India team, they've given a lot over the summer... You asked if MS was going to be at the next World Cup, I'm sure he will be, he has a lot of cricket in him. Losing to New Zealand [in the group stage] gave us a kick up the backside, the boys have turned up to training and the results have showed that. It's a wonderful achievement, we're proud to make the final but it's going to be tough against New Zealand. We'll fly to Melbourne, recover tomorrow, speak about training. It's been a long summer, we've got a few aches, mentally ready for the final but physically a few things to sort out. They're a great team, it's always good to play New Zealand, we hope plenty of Aussies come out to support us."

10.25pm: In the end, the pressure bearing down was just too great. Australia pinned the first plus-300 total in a World Cup semi on the door and then let the scoreboard do the job for them. India's last four wickets fell for two runs in 15 balls but things had already got well beyond their compass by that point. So, we have the final many predicted, the two co-hosts: Australia in their seventh, New Zealand their first. It will be a rematch from the group stage, of course, when New Zealand won a nipper by one wicket. We'll have another one of those, please.

Steven Smith is named Man of the Match for his superb hundred, plus some handy work in the field: "Certainly does [feel good], we thought 330 was around par, we had to bowl and field well, the boys did a terrific job, so hang on Melbourne. [Pleased with performance] Big stage tonight, semi-final of a World Cup, just nice to get over the line at the end. I always think of those people who've helped you along the way, really happy where everything at the moment and looking forward to Melbourne. [Rahane review] Me and Maxi thought 'I'm sure he hit that', they looked upstairs and there it was. Nice one to get. [Runs left for the final] Hope so, another big hundred would be nice, going to be an amazing moment to play a World Cup final against New Zealand, in our conditions at the MCG.

Takes a moment to compose himself, Clarke comes over to check if he's okay... On we go

In comes Umesh Yadav with Faulkner on a hat-trick... Cordon is packed