Cricket: Rare World Cup opening century for England

CHRISTCHURCH: England became only the second team to produce a century opening stand in the World Cup with a flying start to their Pool A match against Scotland in Christchurch on Monday.

With England under fire after being trounced in their first two games, Moeen Ali and Ian Bell took them to three figures in the 17th over with Ali on 64 and Bell 29.

On wickets tailored to produce high-scores, the only other century opening stands in 14 matches have come from New Zealand where Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill have achieved the feat twice in three games. (AFP)