A late blitzkrieg by Paul Collingwood boosted England to a commanding 266 for seven in the World Cup Super Eight match against Ireland. England then dismissed Ireland for 218 in the penultimate over to post a 48-run win.
Collingwood hit a power-packed 90 from 82 balls to help England overcome a sedate start and finish with a flourish at the Providence stadium.
Collingwood had earlier rescued England with a superb knock of 62 in the first round match against Canada.
Ian Bell (31) and Kevin Pietersen (48) shared a 63-run partnership for the second wicket after the early dismissals of Michael Vaughan and Ed Joyce while Andrew Flintoff (43) lent apt support to Collingwood and added 81 runs for the fifth wicket before falling in the 44th over while trying to accelerate.
Collingwood ensured Flintoff's fall did not cost England as he struck three sixes and eight fours.
Captain Trent Johnston bore the brunt of his savagery to return with 1-70, half of those runs conceded in his last four overs.
Photograph: Getty Images
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