Collingwood powers scrappy England to 266 for 7

Gorgetown, Guyana, Mar 30 (UNI) Riding on a disciplined 90 from Paul Collingwood, an uncertain England overcame initial hiccups to score 266 for seven against giant killers Ireland in their Super Eight match at Providence Stadium here today.

England blazed in the slog overs after painstakingly building their innings before some disciplined bowling from Ireland.

Collingwood missed a well-deserved century while no other batsman was convincing enough as Ireland managed to keep their big brothers under pressure throughout the day.

England had no less than four promising partnerships but none of them were allowed to flourish.

Electing to bat first, England got the first jolt in the second over itself as they lost Dublin-born Ed Joyce (1). The former Irish player, who moved to England, did not know much of the very first delivery of Boyd Rankin, which uprooted his off stump.

Rankin then removed skipper Michael Vaughan (6) and both the England openers were back in the hut inside six overs with the scoreboard reading 23.

Determined to prove that they were not in the Super Eights just by fluke, Ireland went all out in the first ten over and kept the English batsmen under tight leash.

However, England relied on the experience of Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen as pushed the scoreboard slowly but surely. Pietersen, the No one ODI batmen, was uncharacteristically restrained and was determined to build on the England innings rather than going flat out.

Later, he started breaking the shackle the Irish were putting in.

As he broke free with a couple of cover drives, Ian Bell too joined in.

The duo added 66 runs for the third wicket when Bell departed for 31 edging Kevin O'Brien to Nial O'Brien behind the wicket.

England's hundred came in 24th over and it was Pieterson looked to go over the top. The batsman, however, couldn't survive for long and holed McCallan only to be pouched by Poeterfield. He made run-a-ball 48 with five boundaries.

Andrew Flintoff had a reputation to salvage after the night club episode. The allrounder in company of Collingwood began cautiously.

Irish captain Trent Johnson brought on as many as six bowlers by the 30th over of the match and never allowed the England team any freedom.

Collingwood and Freddie took England to 194 when the latter was castled Johnston 43. But Collingwood carried on. His 50 came in 65 balls with five fours after which he cut loose. Next 40 just came in 17 deliveries as he hit three more fours and as many sixes.

He was run out in the 50th over trying to steal a cheeky run.

Nixon (19, 15b) and Ravinder Bopara (10, 5b) also chipped in late to give England a respectable total.

UNI