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Ian Bell makes 187 in England's warm-up win

Ian Bell virtually cements his World Cup place by smashing 187 off 145 balls to inspire England to a 60-run win over an Australian Prime Minister's XI in Canberra.

Ian Bell has cemented his place in England's World Cup lineup by smashing 187 in a 60-run win over the Prime Minister's XI in Canberra.

In their final warm-up match before the tri-series with Australia and India, England posted a total of 391-6, in which Bell played a starring role.

England's Ian Bell salutes the crowd after scoring 187 runs during a cricket tour match between England and the Prime Ministers XI Invitational team at Manuka Oval in Canberra on January 14, 2015© Getty Images

The 32-year-old was dismissed in the final over of the innings, having hit 23 boundaries in a knock which would have been England's highest 50-over score had it been in an official one-day international.

Bell's exploits make it almost certain that he will get the nod over Alex Hales as Moeen Ali's opening partner for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, which begins next month.

Ali contributed 71 off 49 balls in a 113-run opening partnership, while James Taylor put together a more patient innings of the same score to assist Bell in taking England to a massive total.

The Prime Minister's XI briefly threatened to chase down their near 400-run target as Australia international all-rounder Glenn Maxwell came in at three to bludgeon 136 off just 89 balls.

However, he lacked the support that Bell had, with Jake Doran (37) the next highest scorer, as Stuart Broad took four wickets and James Tredwell two more to eventually dismiss the hosts for 331.

England begin their pre-World Cup tri-series against Australia in Sydney on Friday.

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Joe Fish
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