Hobart, Australia: Ian Bell made 141 and Joe Root 69 as England scored 303-8 after being sent in to bat by Australia in Friday's tri-series one-day match at Bellerive Oval.
Bell followed his match-winning 88 not out against India on Tuesday with his fourth one-day international century to lead England to a total which will test Australia's depleted batting lineup.
England didn't fully capitalize on the foundation set by Bell, losing its last five wickets for 49 runs, including three wickets — with two run outs — for just two runs in the last over.
Australia was without regular ODI captain George Bailey, who is suspended for one match for a second instance of slow over rates, while batsmen David Warner and Shane Watson were out with hamstring strains.
In Bailey's absence, Steve Smith led Australia in a one-day international for the first time. Smith, who also filled in as test captain in the just-completed series against India, had cause to reflect upon his decision to bowl first as Bell and Ali shared a rapid 113-run stand for the first wicket.
Ali, who scored 46 from 48 balls, was caught by substitute fielder Xavier Doherty from the bowling of James Faulkner.
Bell continued to manage the England innings for most of its course, reaching his half century from 42 balls with eight fours and his century from 92 balls with 11 boundaries. Bell scored more than 90 of his runs on the off side, driving strongly through the covers.
James Taylor was dismissed for just five, but Root then joined Bell in a 121-run stand.
Root reached a half century from 56 balls with four fours but wasn't able to take the innings on for long after Bell's dismissal.
Bell was out in the 42nd over, caught by Mitchell Starc off the bowling of Gurinder Sandhu. Sandhu, who made his debut in Australia's previous game against India, was effective with his medium pacers on a slow wicket and finished with 2-49.
England captain Eoin Morgan was out first ball for a duck after scoring 136 in England's opening tri-series match against Australia. England's middle order in general struggled to push on to the score the sound start had made possible.
Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler made 25 from 24 balls and was one of two batsmen run out in the final over.
