Scotland's hopes of inflicting an improbable defeat on their border neighbours were dashed at Hagley Oval today.
Having seen England get well beaten by Australia and, more humiliatingly, New Zealand, in the early days of the World Cup, the Scots fancied they could follow up with a victory like no other.
Instead, a 172-run opening stand from centurymaker Moeen Ali and Ian Bell set England up for their first win of the tournament, by 119 runs.
Scotland, still chasing their first win at the cup - and first over England at the fifth attempt -- needed early success after sending England in, but Ali and Bell took the chance to get among the runs.
Ali's 128 came off 107 balls, with 12 fours and five sixes, his second century in 20 ODI matches. Bell hit a half century and when they were parted, the platform was set for a substantial score.
