CHRISTCHURCH, (New Zealand): Moeen Ali scored 128 Monday as England tried to haul its Cricket World Cup campaign onto the rails after two demoralizing losses, posting 303-8 after batting first against Scotland in a Pool A match.
After losing to Australia by 111 runs and to New Zealand by eight wickets, England entered the match against Scotland shaken, apprehensive and desperate for a win to lessen the threat of an early tournament exit.
Second-tier team Scotland smelt blood and was equally determined to increase England's discomfort, even to beat a top-eight nation for the first time. But Ali and Ian Bell (54) steadied nerves and quieted Scotland's challenge in a 172-run opening partnership which spanned 30 overs and was England's largest for the first wicket in a World Cup match.