Moeen pleads for England unity after win ignites World Cup tilt
ENGLAND centurion Moeen Ali insists it is imperative for his side to block out the pessimism surrounding their inauspicious World Cup start and build on yesterday’s victory against Scotland in Christchurch.
Moeen struck 128 and Ian Bell 54 as their 172-run opening stand broke England’s previous World Cup record, although Eoin Morgan’s side only added 131 in the final 20 overs following their departure to post 303-8. Seamer Steven Finn went some way to exorcising the ghost of Friday’s bowling horror show against a rampant New Zealand by returning figures of 3-26 as Scotland were dismissed for 184.
England lie fifth in Pool A after recording their first victory at the tournament and with Sri Lanka next up late on Saturday evening, Moeen believes team unity is key.
“It feels like everybody is against us and everything is negative,” he said. “It is very important we take all that away. We have to stay together.”