Cricket World Cup: Scotland's hopes of beating England dashed

England paceman Steve Finn celebrates dismissing Scotland batsman Matt Machan during their Cricket World Cup Group A match in Christchurch. Photo / Getty Images

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.

Instead the Scots, battling hard, did well to trim England's sails in the latter stages of the innings. They were chasing 304 but it could have been worse.

England captain Eion Morgan, sadly out of runs recently, managed 46 off 42 balls and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler slammed 24 off 14 balls near the end.

Seamer Josh Davey's four for 68 put him third on the bowling honours board for the tournament with seven wickets.

Scotland were in early difficulties and from 54 for three were out of the game.

Captain Preston Mommsen and opener Kyle Coetzer put on 60 in 81 balls for the fourth wicket, Coetzer going on to an impressive 71 off 84 balls.

England chipped away to get a morale-boosting win, after having made a grim start to the tournament.

Ali followed his century with two for 47 while Steven Finn's three for 26 eased him above Davey to sit second behind only New Zealand's Tim Southee's 11 wickets.

England play Sri Lanka in Wellington next Sunday while the Scots head back to Dunedin to play Afghanistan on Thursday.

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