Paul Collingwood class makes England win look easy

PAUL Collingwood steered England to a six-wicket victory with a clinical knock of 75 not out in the first one-day international against Bangladesh in Mirpur.

His efforts ensured England maintained their 100 per cent record against the hosts in all formats but they did not have everything their own way at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, with Tamim Iqbal producing the stand-out performance of the day with a commanding 125 in his side's 228 all out.

Alastair Cook, captaining for the first time in an ODI, got the reply off to a positive start with 64 at the head of the innings before England lost three wickets for 23 runs. But Collingwood eased any pressure with a nerveless 100-ball stay and scampered through for the winning single with four overs remaining.

"It's a really nice feeling, sitting here after a win and a really good team performance," Cook said after the match. "I'll enjoy tonight and I'll sleep very happily. It's very rewarding because as a captain you get judged on your results and today was a good day for me."

Cook, whose own impressive knock was ended prematurely by a poor lbw decision, also paid tribute to the continuing quality of Collingwood.

Tamim Iqbal's fine 125 aside, the final scorecard had a convincing look to it for England, but they were 96 for three soon after Collingwood's arrival and his innings came at a vital time.

Assessing his vice-captain's influence, Cook said: "He's our most senior player, he showed his class again in the way he saw us home from what was a potentially very tricky situation. It was pure class. He was fantastic out in South Africa and he's carried on that fantastic form here.

"It's very reassuring having him come in at four, knowing what he can do."

Cook had words of encouragement for opening partner Craig Kieswetter, who was stumped for 19 on debut.

Having looked a class apart for the Lions in the UAE and then scoring 143 in his first warm-up appearance for the seniors, it was a less startling display than some previous efforts.

Cook's own quick-fire start, as well as Shakib Al Hasan's decision to bowl spin at him from the off, perhaps did not help, but his captain is unconcerned.

"I nicked the first three overs, which didn't help him, and he probably didn't think his first ball in international cricket would be spin, but we got a good start," said Cook. "Craig's a fantastic player and he will have his day, as he showed the other day in the warm-up."

• New Zealand won a thrilling Twenty20 against Australia in Christchurch after the Super Over was required to split the two sides.

With both teams tied on 214 runs at the end of 40 fascinating overs the match headed for the sudden-death tie-break and Tim Southee

stepped up to restrict Australia to six for one off his six deliveries. Shaun Tait then fired down two wides as man-of-the-match Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill made nine for no loss in New Zealand's over to give them the win that levelled the series 1-1.

Bangladesh v England (Mirpur)

England beat Bangladesh by 6 wkts

BANGLADESH

Iqbal b Broad 125

Kayes c L J Wright b Bresnan 15

Siddique c Kieswetter b Broad 0

Aftab Ahmed run out 2

Shakib Al Hasan c Prior b Swann 12

Mushfiqur Rahim run out 22

Naeem Islam c Morgan b L J Wright 25

Mashrafe Mortaza lbw b Swann 4

Abdur Razzak c Cook b Sidebottom 2

Islam not out 11

Extras lb4 w5 nb1 pens 0 10

Total (45.4 overs) 228

Fall: 1-63 2-71 3-82 4-112 5-146 6-146 7-209 8-214 9-214

Bowling: Sidebottom 7.4 0 46 1 Bresnan 9 0 48 1 Broad 9 2 46 2 Swann 10 0 32 3 Collingwood 7 1 39 0 Pietersen 2 0 9 0 L J Wright 1 0 4 1

ENGLAND

A N Cook lbw b Naeem Islam 64

C Kieswetter st Mushfiqur Rahim b Naeem I 19

K P Pietersen c Siddique b Shakib Al Hasan 1

P D Collingwood not out 75

E J G Morgan c Aftab Ahmed b Naeem Islam 33

M J Prior not out 30

Extras b4 lb1 w2 pens 0 7

Total 4 wkts (46 overs) 229

Fall: 1-73 2-74 3-96 4-184 Did Not Bat: L J Wright, T T Bresnan, S C J Broad, G P Swann, R J Sidebottom.

Bowling: Mashrafe Mortaza 6 0 37 0 Shafiul Islam 2 0 11 0 Shakib Al Hasan 10 1 42 1 Abdur Razzak 10 1 41 0 Naeem Islam 10 0 49 3 Mahmudullah 8 0 44 0