Collingwood ton puts England in command

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, Feb 17 (AFP): Paul Collingwood became the second century-maker in the England first innings when he hit his eighth Test hundred against West Indies in the third Test here.

But West Indies made a unsteady start to reach 55 for 1, replying to England’s first innings total of 566 for eight declared when stumps were drawn on the second day at the Antigua Recreation Ground yesterday. Collingwood made 113 and shared three half-century stands along the way that helped to beef up the England total. Kevin Pietersen scored 51, Stuart Broad made 44, Matt Prior got 39, and Graeme Swann was not out on 20.

Jerome Taylor collected two wickets for 73 runs from 28 overs, Fidel Edwards snared two for 75 from 26 overs, and Ryan Hinds poached two for 86 from 22.2 overs. England’s new-ball pair of James Anderson and Andrew Flintoff then found out what their opponents had learnt about the ARG pitch over the past two days.

Flintoff got a few balls to jump from a good length and startle Chris Gayle, but the West Indies captain and fellow opener Devon Smith had little about which to worry in between. Steve Harmison replaced Anderson at the northern end for the eighth over of the innings and things started to happen.