Collingwood delighted with battling win by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	PD Collingwood
Event:	England in Ireland 2009

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DateLine: 28th August 2009

 

England stand-in skipper Paul Collingwood praised England's fight after they averted a shock ODI defeat to Ireland in Belfast.

 

In a thrilling late finish to the rain-affected match, former Irish batsman Eoin Morgan, England's 12th man, palmed the ball back into play to prevent a six at long-on.

 

Had that been registered, his former colleagues would have required just three from the final ball for a one-wicket win.

 

Number 11 Kyle McCallan and all-rounder Trent Johnston, who struck the ball off Owais Shah, were so intent on watching the ball that they ended up running one short as they went to complete two, and although the last ball travelled to the boundary, England won by three runs.

 

"It was a difficult position to be in and the fight we showed in the last 10 overs was excellent," said Collingwood.

 

"As international cricketers we don't come across pitches like that too often.

 

"A few things went against us today. It is pretty difficult to defend a target like that in 20 overs, with eight overs of powerplay.

 

"It was very soggy out there but thankfully we didn't get any injuries out there. I would have been very angry if we came off with any injuries."

 

Morgan was on the field as a substitute for Graeme Swann and his quick thinking proved decisive.

 

"It was an unbelievable, very modern piece of fielding," Collingwood said.

 

"He threw his body up, caught it and had the brains to throw it straight back down before he touched the floor.

 

"Things like that in Twenty20 cricket win you games.

 

"We do a fair bit of specific practice on that kind of thing and it's amazing that it does creep up now and again. Eoin managed to perfect it today."