England declare on 599 in first Test

Press Association,Rory Dollard
Saturday 13 March 2010 08:59 GMT
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Paul Collingwood followed captain Alastair Cook's example with an untroubled century as England declared on 599 for six on the second afternoon of the first Test against Bangladesh.

Cook was the only wicket to fall in the morning session, departing for a career-best 173 following yesterday's classy display, but Collingwood (145) carried the baton to register his 10th Test century.

Ian Bell holed out for 84 as he tried to become England's third centurion before the skipper called his side in.

Cook resumed on 158 not out and nudged three singles to ensure he would set a new personal best.

Collingwood, who hit a care-free 32 in 40 balls last night, was also off the mark quickly this morning, working Rubel Hossain for four through mid-wicket for the day's first boundary.

Cook followed with a clinical straight drive for four.

Rubel had a big shout for lbw against the captain on 165, but umpire Rod Tucker was unmoved.

Collingwood brought up England's 400 by sending Shakib Al Hasan for thumping six over long-on and then celebrated his own half-century with a punch to extra-cover.

Then, after nearly seven hours at the crease, Cook gave his wicket away in the softest of fashions.

He attempted to pull Mahmudullah against the spin but succeeded only in top edging a simple return catch to the bowler after a 283-ball stay.

Collingwood and new batsman Bell pressed on with England's attempts at building towards a declaration, collecting runs with the utmost simplicity on both sides of the wicket.

Bell brought up the fifty partnership by hitting three successive deliveries to the ropes, one off Mahmudullah followed by two fine strokes of Abdur Razzak.

Collingwood's pace between the wickets saw him narrowly avert a run out and the session ended with England 113 runs to the good for the loss Cook.

After lunch, the fifth-wicket pair continued to test the flagging Bangladesh fielders and the response was slack enough that they began running risky singles with impunity.

In addition there were mis-fields and a series of no-balls from the struggling Shahadat Hossain before Bell despatched Razzak for four to breach 500.

Collingwood did not repeat Kevin Pietersen's mistake of falling for 99 and calmly guided Shahadat to third man to move into three figures.

The 33-year-old's celebrations were muted, in keeping with the flat nature of the Tigers' attack.

From the very next ball Bell hammered through the covers for four to bring up yet another England half-century.

Collingwood was put down when he middled one straight back to Shakib on 119 and responded with a meaty six down the ground.

From there it became clear that the declaration was imminent, Collingwood peppering - and clearing - the boundary a handful of times before finally being caught.

Bell, meanwhile, was dropped on 82 as he looked to get to a hundred in quick time but was taken well by Rubel at long-off two runs later to give Shakib a first success.

The batsmen hesitated a moment to see if the fielder had touched the rope following the catch but headed to the pavilion as soon as the verdict was given.

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