England Cricket / Editor / 06 February 2007 /

Paul Collingwood's century helped England beat New Zealand by 14 runs and set up a final with Australia in the Commonwealth Bank series.

The Durham man began the tour on a high with 96 in the first Test in Brisbane and a double century in the next match in Adelaide.

However his form has tailed off in recent times and there had been talk of leaving him out of the remaining matches in the triangular tournament.

But the selectors have been rewarded for keeping faith with the 30-year-old as he hit a well-crafted 106 to guide England to 270-7 from their 50 overs.

Andrew Strauss chipped in with 55 while Shane Bond was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers with 4-46 from his ten overs.

The Black Caps got off to a flyer in their run chase with 22 coming off the first two overs.

Liam Plunkett could not locate the pitch and conceded nine wides in his first over, while Sajid Mahmood was also wayward in his early spell.

With Michael Vaughan back in the side Andrew Flintoff could concentrate on his bowling and the Lancastrian was right at the top of his game, taking 1-37, as he and Monty Panesar (1-38) stemmed the flow of runs.

Collingwood also played his part with the ball, taking 2-46 from his ten overs and Plunkett returned to take vital wickets, finishing with 3-60.

New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming held their innings together with a superb 106 but the big-hitters down the order failed to contribute and the Kiwis ended on 256-8 after 50 overs.

England now face the Aussies in the best-of-three finals, with the first match due to get underway in Melbourne on Friday.

The second match is scheduled for Sunday in Sydney and should a third game be required, the sides will do battle for the last time this winter next Tuesday in Brisbane.

Australia are the overwhelming 1.13 favourites to lift the trophy while Vaughan's men are on offer at 8 to cause an upset and claim the title.

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