Bell 187 sets up England victory

Ian Bell will enter the one-day tri-series in outstanding form after his 187 set up victory for England in their final warm-up match against the Prime Minister's XI in Canberra. However, Bell will not be the only player to carry strong form from this game into the series: Glenn Maxwell shook off a shaky couple of months to blast 136 from 89 deliveries in an unsuccessful chase.

Bell had support from Moeen Ali and James Taylor, who each scored 71 in England's hefty total of 6 for 391 on a belter of a pitch at Manuka Oval. Maxwell, on the other hand, had no team-mates who passed 40, and in a match dominated by the batsmen, Stuart Broad's analysis of 4 for 40 from 8.1 overs was a significant contribution to England's 60-run win.

The game did not have List A status, but England's total matched their ODI best of 4 for 391 against Bangladesh at Trent Bridge in 2005. The presence of Pat Cummins and Jason Behrendorff in the home attack meant it was not a doddle, although Cummins' workload was managed and he bowled only six overs; captain Chris Rogers even sent down two overs of slow-medium himself.

Bell and Ali put on 113 for the opening partnership before Ali, the busier partner, smashed a Maxwell full toss straight to deep midwicket, where he was caught by the Papua New Guinea player Lega Siaka. His 71 came from 49 deliveries; Taylor's came from 77 and featured only four boundaries before he was caught at square leg off Behrendorff.

But Bell kept England moving along at a rapid rate - legspinner Siaka was the only bowler who went at less than seven an over. Bell struck 20 fours and three sixes and cruised past his best List A score of 158, eventually falling from the penultimate ball of the innings when he was caught by Rogers off Behrendorff (4 for 79).

In reply, the Prime Minister's XI chase began a little slowly as Chris Woakes and Chris Jordan both struck within the first ten overs. But batting at No.3, Maxwell singlehandedly smashed his side back into the contest, and himself back into form. Maxwell has battled since returning from the Test series against Pakistan in the UAE and only regained touch with 66 in the BBL on Saturday.

He continued that in Canberra by striking 20 fours and two sixes, and Australia's selectors will be thrilled with his turnaround on the eve of the tri-series and the World Cup. Maxwell was eventually out caught at point off Broad, but he had ensured it was not a one-sided game - the Prime Minister's XI at that stage were 4 for 216 off 29 overs.

However, the rest of the home side struggled to follow Maxwell's lead and the required run-rate began to balloon. Siaka scored 27 off 15 but fell to a remarkable catch by Chris Woakes, who seemed to drop the chance before using his leg to parry it back up into his hands. Broad then finished the match off with the final three wickets as the Prime Minister's XI were all out for 331.