Daily Cricket News

Collingwood stars against South Australia

Adelaide: Paul Collingwood fell six runs short of a blazing century as England struggled to assert their authority over South Australia on the opening day of their second tour match here on Thursday.

Collingwood thumped 13 fours and a six in a lively 94 off 116 balls in England's stuttering 288 for eight declared at the Adelaide Oval. South Australia safely negotiated the nine overs to stumps to end the day 26 without loss with James Smith on 16 and Daniel Harris not out 10.

Collingwood's blistering knock was the tourists' highlight as Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen all failed to make an impact against the Sheffield Shield strugglers.

South Australia's beanpole paceman Peter George troubled England's top order, taking the wickets of skipper Strauss (4), Trott (12) and Cook (32). Pietersen fell when he hooked paceman Ben Edmondson to Aiden Blizzard at deep square leg for 33. Only Ian Bell kept Collingwood company in a 131-run stand for the fifth wicket compiling a sturdy 61 off 117 balls.

Collingwood looked poised for a well-deserved century before he sliced paceman Jake Haberfield to Australian Test aspirant Callum Ferguson in the 66th over.

England had been struggling at 95 for four with the dismissal of Pietersen in the 34th over, before Collingwood and Bell recovered England's position with their fighting stand.

Strauss, who steered England to victory in last weekend's opening tour game against Western Australia with an unbeaten 120, went cheaply in the day's third over. The England captain tried to glance a delivery down the leg-side from George and offered a fine touch to diving wicketkeeper Graham Manou.

Trott was dropped on 11 before he attempted to pull George in the 11th over only to offer an easy caught and bowled for 12. Trott had a life in the previous over when he edged Edmondson but was put down by Harris at slip.

Cook was out in the second over after lunch for 32 after edging off George to Manou. Blizzard juggled a catch on the boundary rope and nearly lost his balance before sending Pietersen on his way after his 54-ball stay which included five fours and a six.

Stuart Broad only lasted three balls before he was caught by Smith at short leg for one off left-arm spinner Aaron O'Brien.

Strauss declared after Graeme Swann was dismissed for 25 leaving wicketkeeper Matt Prior unbeaten on 22 off 31 balls. George, who made his Test debut for Australia in India last month, finished the best of the local bowlers with 3 for 65 off 17 overs.

England started with the same team which opened their tour with a six-wicket victory over Western Australia in a three-day match in Perth last weekend.

Coach Andy Flower made no apologies for leaving out fringe Test contenders as he looks to give his preferred lineup experience of Australian conditions ahead of the first Test at Brisbane's Gabba ground, starting on November 25.

The English are out to retain the Ashes, but are also looking to win their first Test series in Australia since 1986-1987.