England win second warm-up game in run feast at Canberra

Ian Bell and Glenn Maxwell provided great entertainment

England won their second warm-up game after beating Prime Minister’s XI by 60 runs in a high-scoring encounter at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Wednesday.

Ian Bell stars for England

Opting to bat first, Ian Bell was the star for England, plundering a 145-ball 187, filled with 20 fours and 3 sixes. Giving the right-hander company was Moeen Ali, who seems to have taken his new role as an opener as fish takes to water. The left-hander scored 71 runs off 49 balls and added 113 with Bell for the first wicket, before falling to the off-spin of Glenn Maxwell.

The fall of Ali, however, didn't bring any respite for the hosts as Bell, along with James Taylor, continued to score at a good pace. The 32-year-old brought up his ton in the 37th over and stepped on the gas further after that.

The two right-handers added 141 in 154 balls before Taylor was dismissed for a 77-ball 71. The carnage, however, didn't stop as Joe Root joined Bell at the crease, and the duo put on another useful stand of 71 runs. Bell was eventually dismissed in the final over of the innings by Jason Behrendorff and England finished on 391 for 6 in 50 overs.

Behrendorff was the pick of the bowlers for PM XI, taking 4 for 79 in 10 overs.

Maxwell’s ton goes in vain

In reply, Prime Minister’s XI got off to a decent start, with the opening pair of Chris Rogers and Cameron Bancroft putting on 33 for the first wicket. The fall of Bancroft brought Maxwell in, and the hard-hitting Victorian got stuck into the England attack, creaming the bowlers to all parts of the ground.

However, with his score at 136, the 26-year-old went for one shot too many and was caught by James Taylor off the bowling of Stuart Broad. The knock was filled with 20 fours and 2 sixes, and came off just 89 deliveries.

The middle and lower order did try their best to get close to England's total, but couldn't clear the fence as frequently as they would’ve wanted and eventually were bowled out for 331 in 48.1 overs.