Cricket:Paul Collingwood led England's pursuit of a 213-run target in their Champions Trophy opener against Sri Lanka at the Wanderers. All-rounder Collingwood counter-attacked superbly after England were reduced to 19 for two early in their chase.
His lift over midwicket for six off Nuwan Kulasekara was the first of his five boundaries in eight deliveries as England initially slipped well behind their four-run-per-over asking rate.
Collingwood, for whom crisp timing has been conspicuous by its absence in recent months, helped England to 55 for two after 15 overs.
Third-wicket partner Owais Shah progressed at a more sedate pace, in contrast, making two off 18 balls before his first boundary, which just cleared mid-off off Ajantha Mendis, took England past 50.
Kulasekara made two early inroads under the floodlights as England, like their opponents earlier, struggled against the new ball.
Joe Denly was pinned on the crease by one which nipped back while captain Andrew Strauss was brilliantly caught, one-handed at midwicket by Thilina Kandamby, after pulling a ball just short of a length.
Strauss claimed a couple of catches himself during Sri Lanka's innings of 212 all out, but it was a different kind of intervention for which he will be remembered.
His sportsmanship in calling back Sri Lanka batsman Angelo Mathews was commendable.
Mathews was initially run out in the 40th over after colliding with bowler Graham Onions going for two.
Denly's throw from the deep would arguably have accounted for Mathews anyway but Strauss opted to ask his opponent back to the crease as he strode towards the pavilion.
It was perhaps a reaction to the last time such an incident occurred in an England match when then captain Collingwood did not pardon New Zealand's Grant Elliott in a one-day international at the Oval, and later admitted regret at his decision.
This reprieve was not costly, however, as Sri Lanka, on 170 for six at the time, managed just another six runs before Mathews, who rescued his side with 52 from number seven, edged a low catch behind off Luke Wright.
Mathews - whose alliance with Thilina Kandamby ensured Sri Lanka posted a competitive score - acknowledged Strauss' gesture as he left the field and England soon wrapped up the innings thanks to two wickets in as many balls by Stuart Broad.
James Anderson, the pick of England's attack, finished things off with his third wicket, when he had Mendis caught at slip in the 48th over.
Collingwood cracked two further sixes, from ferocious pulls off Lasith Malinga short balls, to take himself within one more boundary of a 50.
But an unfortunate inside edge redirected the ball into off stump later in the over to leave England 82 for three after 20.