Collingwood makes history for rampant England

Paul Collingwood entered the record books as England pushed for a second successive victory over Australia in the NatWest Series.

Collingwood became his country's highest one-day run scorer, passing Alec Stewart's career total of 4,677 as England chased 240 to win at the SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff.

Not for the first time in his long career, Durham star Collingwood steadied the ship after England began their reply in rapid fashion.

The home side lost wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter for just eight, caught behind off Doug Bollinger, but they then took control through skipper Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen.

Neither player looked in danger as they added 68 for the second wicket, only for Australia captain Ricky Ponting to remove Pietersen for 33 with a stunning one-handed catch above his head at mid-wicket.

Strauss, who had earlier hit two sixes, reached his half-century from 50 balls, but was then out in tame fashion, caught and bowled by spinner Nathan Hauritz for 51.

From 91 for one, England dipped to 109 for three as Collingwood was joined at the crease by Eoin Morgan, century hero of Tuesday night's four-wicket win at The Rose Bowl.

They soon set about reasserting England's dominance, though, easing to 161 for with 19 overs remaining.

Cameron White had earlier guided Australia to a respectable 239 for seven, carving an undefeated 86 from 98 balls after star batsmen Ponting and Michael Clarke both fell cheaply to Stuart Broad.

Broad took four for 44, a haul that included his 100th international one-day wicket, but White - who hit seven fours and two sixes - steered Australia away from danger after they slumped to 118 for five.

England though, could have dismissed him when he had made just three, yet wicketkeeper Kieswetter's stunning low catch off Luke Wright was ruled out due to a no-ball.

Watson launched an opening assault, proving particularly punishing on James Anderson on his way to 57, but the only other notable contribution was Steven Smith's 41 during an 84-run sixth wicket partnership with White.