CHRISTCHURCH (NEW ZEALAND) - England's Moeen Ali and Ian Bell smacked the highest opening partnership of the World Cup so far when they scored 172 in a flying start against Scotland in Christchurch on Monday.
England batsman Moeen Ali (L) pulls a ball for six as Scotland wicketkeeper Matt Cross (R) looks on during their 2015 Cricket World Cup Group A match in Christchurch on February 23, 2015
On wickets tailored to produce high scores, it was only the third century opening stand in 14 matches.
New Zealand have achieved the feat twice in three matches with Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill scoring 111 against Sri Lanka and 105 against England.
Ali and Bell's stand was broken in the 31st over when Bell was caught at cover by Kyle Coetzer off Richie Berrington for 54.
Ali followed soon after for 128, the fourth highest score so far in the tournament, leaving England at 201-2 in the 35th over.
England's record opening partnership in all ODIs is 200 set by Marcus Trescothick and Vikram Solanki against South Africa in 2003.