Pietersen's power wins a cliffhanger for England

Around the swimming pool at England's swish resort hotel yesterday it took a 29-year-old cricketer with a mild reputation as a Jack the Lad to see what legions of mature, grey-suited administrators have failed to grasp.

"It's a lot of money we're playing for and in the current climate it's a ludicrous situation that we find ourselves in," said Graeme Swann, England's engaging, off-spinning all-rounder. He was referring to the star match in the so-called Stanford Super Series, England v the Stanford Super Stars, which takes place on Saturday with $20m at stake, 13 million of them in all to the winning squad.

"Either way you're in a privileged position financially because as 12th man you get a quarter of a million pounds which is ludicrous in the scheme of things."

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There was not so much to play for last night – $20m less actually – although England will have been desperately relieved to win a nerve-shredder against Trinidad & Tobago. It came down to a last-ball finish with Steve Harmison bowling. Three runs needed to win and only one managed with a run-out going for a second. England were fortunate but they also made their own luck after Paul Collingwood bowled beautifully in the middle of the innings.

They could without this on Saturday although Harmison who had to keep control may consider it as an appropriate rehearsal. It was as tight as they come and the week was redeemed.

Swann has a chance now of playing in the big one on Saturday since it is now clear that the pitch is slow and invites turn, not quite a spinner's paradise but close enough. He would have played last night in any case as four of England's players were forced out by stomach upsets, not caused necessarily by being involved in such a project as the Twenty20 for Twenty.

In any case, they will probably be fit when the big cash is on the table. But it did mean, oddly, that Alastair Cook, England's Test opening batsman, was in the bottom three and though it was not to be revealed because insufficient wickets fell he might have been number 11.

It is worth bearing in mind – and the point was brought home forcibly last night – that the fans love this, are captivated by the money element but were also rewarded eventually with what nearly amounted to an authentic game of Twenty20 cricket.

This was largely thanks to England's captain, Kevin Pietersen, who took one look at a pitch which has bordered on the catastrophic and immediately concluded that he could indeed make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. He injected some vigour into the affair.

His innings of 44 in 30 balls sounds relatively modest but it was a monumental effort in terms on this series and the second highest in four matches so far. It was full of the usual bravura touches – the straight hitting was strong but he was quite prepared to slog to cow corner.

England might have been faintly annoyed at not making more than 141 for six since there were 19 balls left when Pietersen was out at 120 for five.

Trinidad know this pitch well and batted accordingly. They took 11 from the third over, 11 from the fourth, and 15 from the fifth bowled by England's trump Andrew Flintoff. They were in the game. But Pietersen is prepared to try things and he summoned Collingwood whose pace, accuracy and occasional bounce from the Airport Road End were all just enough. His four overs cost 11.

The lights and their possibly catastrophic effect on the outcome continue to worry players because a plethora of catches have been shelled. Not last night on either side which might show that illumination is in the mind.

AUDIO FROM ANTIGUA

This week The Independent have teamed up with PA Sport to bring you a series of podcasts. Click below for the latest installment.

The podcast includes:

* A match report on England v Trinidad & Tobago from PA Sport's cricket reporter in Antigua, Richard Gibson

* An interview with Surrey's Jonathan Batty

* A contribution from Kent and England international Robert Key

* A discussion in the studio between host Paul Hirst and PA Sport's cricket expert Rory Dollard

* An interview with sport finance expert Professor Tom Cannon