Colly targets Windies after Indian feast
JOYOUS captain Paul Collingwood says England are not fazed by playing two games in 24 hours as they go in search of a place in the World Twenty20 semi-finals this afternoon.
Collingwood’s men claimed the first part of a momentous back-to-back win-double with a thrilling three-run victory over India which eliminated the defending champions from the competition.
Now the hosts must negotiate a second must-win encounter when they take on West Indies at The Oval this afternoon, knowing that victory will see them safely through to join South Africa the last four.
England claimed comfortable 2-0 victories in both the recent Test and One-Day series against the Windies, but Collingwood is under no illusions as to the task which faces his side.
“Tomorrow’s a huge game,” the Durham all-rounder said. “We’ve been playing the West Indies for what seems like the last half a year. Both sides know each other very well, they have some dangermen in that side but we’ll enjoy this victory and know we have a massive job tomorrow.”
England found themselves in the unfamiliar position of being booed in their own back yard by Indian supporters, but Collingwood insisted the hostile reception was the inspiration behind their victory.
“It’s a bit strange, to be honest, on your home ground. And it gave everyone the motivation to go out and put a party piece on,” the captain added.
Not for the first time, Kevin Pietersen was the hero with the bat, smashing 46 off 27 balls as he and Ravi Bopara (37) put on 71 for the second wicket. Yourav Singh (3-30) limited England to an average 153-8 from their 20 overs, but it was in the field when England shone.
Ryan Sidebottom, in for spinner Adil Rashid, took out two wickets in an opening spell for figures of 2-31, before spinner Graeme Swann (2-28) took charge with a brace of his own, including the precious wicket of Singh for 17, as India always fell short.
GROUP E
TEAM PLD W L T RR PTS
South Africa 2 2 0 0 0.9 4
West Indies 2 1 1 0 -0.15 2
England 2 1 1 0 -0.29 2
India 2 0 2 0 -0.42 0
GROUP F
TEAM PLD W L T RR PTS
Sri Lanka 2 2 0 0 0.7 4
New Zealand 2 1 1 0 0.94 2
Pakistan 2 1 1 0 0.74 2
Ireland 2 0 2 0 -2.3 0