Colly flowers in England win
ENGLAND’S Paul Collingwood toasted a “special” performance after a seven-wicket win over South Africa in the second one-day international.
Collingwood produced a heroic individual display at Centurion, claiming 2-24 with the ball before hitting 105 not out to guide England to a well-deserved victory. But afterwards the Durham all-rounder, who made his 171st one-day appearance to overtake Alec Stewart as the country’s most capped 50-overs player, modestly played down his starring role.
“It was a big day for me personally, but the team put in a fantastic performance,” he said. “The wicket played really well throughout the day and it was a special performance by all the boys really.” Jonathan Trott, preferred to Joe Denly at the top of the order, hit a magnificent 87 to prove the perfect ally for Collingwood. “It was a top knock by Trotty, he really played the anchor role,” said Collingwood. “Credit to him, all the international innings he’s played so far have been special ones and hopefully that continues.”
South Africa looked untroubled until Tim Bresnan angled one across Graeme Smith who could not resist a nibble to Matt Prior. England soon took control, Collingwood catching AB de Villiers in the gully off of James Anderson. Alviro Petersen and Hashim Amla hit half-centuries but the hosts laboured to 250-9. In reply, England lost skipper Andrew Strauss (16) early and Kevin Pietersen (4) again went cheaply. But Trott and Collingwood steadied the ship and the latter and Eoin Morgan saw England home with four overs to spare.