Collingwood century gives England big total v Kiwis

SYDNEY, Feb 6 (Reuters) Paul Collingwood struck a hundred and Andrew Strauss made a half-century as England amassed 270 for seven in today's sudden-death tri-series one-day international against New Zealand in Brisbane.

Collingwood smacked 106 off 121 balls while Strauss made 55 off 63 deliveries to rescue England from a slow start and post a formidable total in the final preliminary match to decide who joins Australia in the finals.

England were struggling at 52-3 in the 14th over after returning skipper Michael Vaughan was bowled by Shane Bond for a duck with a perfect inswinging yorker and Ian Bell (12) and Ed Joyce (26) both went cheaply.

Strauss and Collingwood steadied the innings with a careful display, taking the total past 100 in the 22nd over before increasing the run-rate.

Strauss struck three fours and a six to complete his first half-century off the series while Collingwood survived a dropped catch from Jacob Oram on 18 to record his third one-day international hundred.

The pair added 103 for the third wicket before Strauss was bowled by Scott Styris then Collingwood was bowled by Bond after becoming distracted when his team mate Jamie Dalrymple dropped his bat at the non-striker's end.

Andrew Flintoff made a quick 17 off 15 balls before holing out to James Franklin in the deep to give Bond his fourth wicket.

Wicketkeeper Paul Nixon was bowled by Mark Gillespie for a second ball duck in the penultimate over before Dalrymple (29 not out) and Liam Plunkett (15 not out) went on a late flurry to lift the total to 270.

REUTERS SAM VV1327