ENGLAND turned their fortunes around yesterday morning, ending a run of sub-par performances with a comfortable victory over their northern neighbours Down Under.

Scotland managed only 184 in Christchurch before being bowled out on 42.2 overs after the Auld Enemy had picked up 303-8 — inspired by a barn-storming opening pair of Moeen Ali and Ian Bell.

Ali’s second one-day century contributed the lion’s share to the twosome’s 172 runs — flying past the previous England World Cup opening partnership record of 158 set when the flares were in the trousers as well as the crease, way back in 1975.

But questions will still remain going into their tie with Sri Lanka in Wellington on Sunday, with memories of the pre-tournament drubbings at the hands of their Oceanic co-hosts hardly dispelled by easing past their “potential banana-skin” Celtic cousins.

But under-fire captain Eoin Morgan was apparently chuffed by his shaky side’s start to the contest.
"I don't think there was ever a state of panic,” he claimed. “We had two hard games and the fact we didn't perform was disappointing.”

He added: “There were a lot of positives to take from today.”

And he was keen to point to the team boost from the victory, even though Moeen’s 128 runs and two wickets single-handedly spurred the victory.

“A win just puts things a little more at ease. It gives guys a little bit of confidence even the guys who didn’t perform today,” said the Englishman.

“Talking to guys who had a little bit of success today will be good for them.”

It was a different story in the Scottish camp, with skipper Preston Mommsen bemoaning his countrymen’s slow start.

“Having won the toss, we’re very disappointed with the start we had with the ball,” he said.

“We couldn’t quite put in the full package, and that’s very disappointing, and that’s quite regrettable. But it just wasn’t meant to be today.”