Late stand a boost for England

Cricket:  England's lower-order hitting guided them to a competitive total just as another middle-order collapse threatened …

Cricket: England's lower-order hitting guided them to a competitive total just as another middle-order collapse threatened to derail their opening World Cup match against New Zealand.

Put in to bat in the heavyweight Group C clash, England had manoeuvred themselves into a promising position with Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood forging an 81-run stand spanning 19.3 overs.

But just as England prepared to launch a late assault in the final 15 overs of their innings and propel themselves to a commanding total, they lost three wickets for one run in seven balls and slumped to 138 for seven.

It took an unbroken 71-run partnership between wicketkeeper Paul Nixon and Liam Plunkett to rescue England's cause and guide them to a competitive 209 for seven, although the average score at the Beausejour Stadium is 240.

READ MORE

England's campaign had been given an encouraging start with key seamer Jimmy Anderson passing a morning fitness test on his broken right little finger.

Their optimism quickly faded, however, after New Zealand won the toss, decided to bowl first and claimed a wicket with the first legitimate delivery of the innings.

New Zealand have started their reply.