England stutter to victory

Cricket:  England stuttered towards their 144-run target to beat Bangladesh by four wickets in the Super Eight contest at Kensington…

Cricket: England stuttered towards their 144-run target to beat Bangladesh by four wickets in the Super Eight contest at Kensington Oval.

Michael Vaughan's men were cruising at 70 for two but another mid-innings slump increased the tension in a low-scoring World Cup encounter.

Star all-rounder Andrew Flintoff blasted a quickfire 23, off 21 balls, including a towering six, but when he and Ravi Bopara were both bowled by left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique in the space of five deliveries, England were 110 for six.

Captain Michael Vaughan was again out of sorts with the bat but made the most of being dropped behind the wicket early on to top score with 30.

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Vaughan and Kevin Pietersen both succumbed to Abdur Razzak, another of the Bangladesh slow men, trying to force the pace.