WORCESTERSHIRE'S Moeen Ali and England suffered a tough start to their World Cup campaign.

They endured a crushing 111-run defeat to Australia in Melbourne after chasing a daunting 342-9 from 50 overs.

Opener Moeen departed quickly for 10 in reply, pulling Mitchell Starc to mid-on, and former Worcestershire academy player James Taylor's 98 not out was in vain as England were always well behind the required rate.

They were eventually bowled out for 231 in 41.5 overs and face another tough Pool 'A' assignment on Friday in Wellington against New Zealand, who thrashed Sri Lanka by 98 runs in their opener.

Moeen, 27, bowled nine overs of spin but went for 60 runs on a day when all the English bowlers received plenty of punishment from the Aussie batsmen, despite Steve Finn's late hat-trick in his 5-71.

The Worcestershire star hit two fours in the England innings but could only last 13 balls and 20 minutes.