England fight back with convincing partnership

By Sam Hathaway
July 13 2006

Paul Collingwood and Alastair Cook helped England into a convincing position as they both managed to get century's on a sunny day at Lords. The pair were not out at the end of the days play as England finished on 309-3.

They were the first fourth wicket partnership to share a record stand of 221 against Pakistan. Both batsmen were lucky on occasions when Collingwood was dropped when keeper Kamran Akmal spilled a very easy catch and Cook was even luckier being dropped on nought, 45 and 81.
The England openers put on a partnership of 60 before falling within 6 balls of each other and Pietersen was lbw for 21.
England had lost their first three batsmen in a space of seven overs in the morning session and fell to 88-3.
After lunch the two batsmen in(Cook and Collingwood) started to up the tempo and were looking in good shape even though they were being dropped all over the park by the Pakistan fieldsmen.
At the close of play England finished on 309-3 and hopefully Collingwood and Cook can continue to bat for at least the morning session and keep the pressure on Pakistan.