Collingwood boosts lacklustre England

Paul Collingwood clubbed 90 to help England to a uninspiring 266 for seven.

 Paul Collingwood clubbed 90 to help England to a uninspiring 266 for seven after Ireland's bowlers used the slow wicket superbly in their World Cup Super Eights match on Friday.

World Cup debutants Ireland, who made the second stage after beating Pakistan, had England at 23 for two and 113 for four before Collingwood salvaged a decent score late on.

England opener Ed Joyce, who played for Ireland until 2005, gave his former team mates an early present when he left a Boyd Rankin ball on off stump to be bowled for one.

Paceman Rankin struck again in the sixth over when England captain Michael Vaughan, who elected to bat, edged a tentative defensive shot behind for six.

Vaughan, who made the World Cup after recovering from a longstanding knee problem and a hamstring injury, has yet to make a one-day hundred in 81 internationals and his poor form continues to contrast with his impressive captaincy.

The 32-year-old hit 26, 45 and one in the group stages.

Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell then combined to add 66 before Bell was adjudged to have gloved medium-pacer Kevin O'Brien to his brother Niall O'Brien standing up behind the stumps.

The England number three took 74 balls to make 31.

Pietersen soon followed two short of a deserved fifty when he clipped off-spinner Kyle McCallan to William Porterfield at short mid-wicket to leave England four down.

Collingwood and Andrew Flintoff shared 81 but failed to hit out sufficiently before Flintoff was bowled by captain Trent Johnston for 43 trying a difficult cut.