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Last Updated: Friday, 15 February 2008, 10:04 GMT
Skipper hails England resilience
Phil Mustard congratulates James Anderson
Anderson helped England produce a much-improved bowling display
England captain Paul Collingwood praised his side's resilience after their morale-boosting six-wicket win over New Zealand in Auckland.

England had been criticised for their impotent performances, but responded with a much-improved all-round display to keep the series alive at 2-1.

"There was control, aggression, we got the ball in good areas," he said.

"We have done a lot of talking, we needed to, it's one win but we are not getting carried away."

A 107-run third-wicket partnership between Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen created a solid foundation for Collingwood to finish off proceedings with a rapid 70 off 50 balls.

The all-rounder also chipped in with three wickets in a vastly improved bowling performance from their previous two matches.

Collingwood was happy to take man-of-the-match plaudits, while also praising the contribution of his team-mates.

"You look at Stuart Broad and how he has come on under pressure," he said. "But a lot of guys can be proud of themselves.

Unfortunately we didn't get off to the start we were after on a reasonable wicket

Daniel Vettori

"The partnership between Bell and Pietersen was fantastic, it was not easy out there. KP played an innings unlike him."

"They (New Zealand) are a very good side, they are not number three in the world for nothing.

"It was important that anybody put their hand up, anybody put in that special performance.

"Whether it was experienced players or youngsters who have only played a handful of games, it was important someone went out there and won the game.

"Whether you're captain or not, to hit the winning runs is a satisfying thing to do. To get a not-out is one of the best feelings in the game."

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori admitted the loss of early wickets prevented them setting a more formidable total.

He said: "They came at us pretty hard but the thing that has stood out for us in the last couple of games has been our top-order batting and unfortunately we didn't get off to the start we were after on a reasonable wicket.

606: DEBATE
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"Our middle-order, which hasn't had too much of a go in the last few weeks, couldn't really pick up the pieces.

"We were always up against it, but fortunately Jacob Oram got us back into the game and a score of 230 wasn't too bad."

The penultimate match of the five-game series starts in Napier at 2200 GMT on Tuesday.

  • Pace bowler Steve Harmison's arrival in New Zealand for the forthcoming Test series has been delayed pending the birth of his fourth child.

    He had been due to arrive in New Zealand later on Friday with England's other specialist Test players to begin preparations for the three-match Test series from 5 March.

    Harmison is now expected join the Test squad in New Zealand "in the early part of next week," according to an ECB statement.



    SEE ALSO
    England seal morale-boosting win
    15 Feb 08 |  England
    New Zealand thrash awful England
    12 Feb 08 |  England
    Kiwis win after England collapse
    09 Feb 08 |  England
    England in New Zealand 2008
    12 Feb 08 |  Cricket


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