England (266 for six) beat Ireland (218 all out) by 48 runs
Comfortable in the end for England despite wobbles at the top of their own innings and at the end of Ireland's. There's no doubt England must improve dramatically to prolong their involvement in this tournament, but the two points in the bag is the crucial thing today.

WICKET!
WK McCallan b Flintoff 5 (6)
Another full ball from Flintoff uproots the leg stump and the game is over.

Over 48: McCallan pushes to point and takes a single. A direct hit would have found him short of his ground, but the throw misses. Rankin pushes to gully for a single, and McCallan hits a slower ball down the ground for one more.
Ireland 218/9 (RR: 4.54): McCallan 5* (5), Rankin 4* (8)
Ireland need 49 runs to win from 12 balls at 24.50 runs per over.

Mahmood back into the attack.

Over 47: Rankin digs out a yorker for a single, and McCallan gets a no-ball from Flintoff into the covers for a single. Rankin then nicks one through to Nixon, but the players who had started to leave the field have to come back when they realise the umpire's finger hasn't been raised. Rankin gets two through the covers from the final ball of the over.
Ireland 215/9 (RR: 4.57): McCallan 3* (2), Rankin 3* (5)
Ireland need 52 runs to win from 18 balls at 17.33 runs per over.

Rankin is Ireland's last man.

WICKET!
D Langford-Smith lbw b Flintoff 1 (2)
Flintoff pins the batsman on the toe with an inswinging yorker. Easy decision for Billy Doctrove.

Over 46: Langford-Smith gets a single from the final ball of the over.
Ireland 210/8 (RR: 4.57): McCallan 2* (1), Langford-Smith 1* (1)
Ireland need 57 runs to win from 24 balls at 14.25 runs per over.

Langford-Smith is the new batsman for Ireland.

WICKET!
AR White c Nixon b Collingwood 38 (35)
White clips Collingwood over square-leg for another boundary, and gets another boundary with an outside edge through first slip. White clubs through midwicket for two more but then hits an attempted sweep straight up in the air via the helmet to give Nixon a simple catch. Cracking little innings from White, restoring Irish hope for a brief spell there.

Over 45: McCallan gets two to cover from his first ball.
Ireland 199/7 (RR: 4.42): White 28* (30), McCallan 2* (1)
Ireland need 68 runs to win from 30 balls at 13.60 runs per over.

McCallan is the new batsman for Ireland.

WICKET!
DT Johnston b Flintoff 27 (21)
White hits down the ground for two, and gets two more after somehow digging out a yorker and squirting it wide of point. White gets two more with a clip through midwicket, and a single to deep cover. Another full and straight ball does the job for England, beating Johnston's attempted moo over the legside and cleaning up the leg stump.

Flintoff is back into the attack looking to quell this Irish rebellion.

Over 44: Johnston flays the ball through cover for three runs as Panesar gives chase, and the next ball is short and wide, and hammered through point for four. Sloppy, sloppy cricket from England. White gets two more with a paddle-sweep over short fine-leg. White smears the final ball of the over into the legside for a single. Ten off the over. Luckily for shoddy England, that won't quite be enough.
Ireland 190/6 (RR: 4.32): Johnston 27* (20), White 21* (26)
Ireland need 77 runs to win from 36 balls at 12.83 runs per over.

Collingwood back into the attack.

Over 43: White cuts behind point for two runs, and works the next ball to leg for a single. Johnston misses an attempted cut at a slower ball from Anderson, but clips a low full-toss to leg for a single. White gets a single after initially turning it down from the next ball as Pietersen's throw cannons off the stumps into a vacant space. Johnston gets another single from the final ball of the over, a better one from Anderson.
Ireland 180/6 (RR: 4.19): Johnston 24* (19), White 14* (21)
Ireland need 87 runs to win from 42 balls at 12.43 runs per over.

Over 42: Mahmood starts with a bouncer that is called wide as it sails miles over Johnston's head. Johnston gets two with a thickish outside edge through point. Johnston blocks a slower ball, and then guides another to third-man for a single, and White gets a lucky boundary with an edge through the vacant slip area. He adds a single to long-leg, and Johnston carves the final ball of the over to the point boundary for four more. Thirteen from the over, and sloppy cricket from England.
Ireland 174/6 (RR: 4.14): Johnston 22* (16), White 10* (18)
Ireland need 93 runs to win from 48 balls at 11.63 runs per over.

Mahmood is back into the attack as well, with Panesar through his 10 overs.

Over 41: White forces through the covers off the back foot for a single, and Anderson fires a wide down the legside. Johnston is belatedly laucnhing a counter-attack for Ireland and heaves a mighty six over midwicket. Anderson responds with another legside wide, but he gets it right with his next ball, forcing Johnston to dig out a yorker. Johnston works the next ball to leg for a single, and it's an expensive comeback from Anderson.
Ireland 161/6 (RR: 3.93): Johnston 15* (12), White 5* (16)
Ireland need 106 runs to win from 54 balls at 11.77 runs per over.

Anderson is back into the attack for England.

Over 40: Just three singles from the final over of a fine spell from Panesar, who continues to grow into his role in this side.
Ireland 151/6 (RR: 3.78): Johnston 8* (8), White 4* (14)
Ireland need 116 runs to win from 10 overs at 11.60 runs per over.

Over 39: Johnston works to leg for a single, and White gets himself in a tangle trying to reverse-sweep. He does get a single from an orthodox sweep, and Johnston then smashes the final ball of Vaughan's over clear of Panesar at deep midwicket for six.
Ireland 148/6 (RR: 3.79): Johnston 7* (6), White 2* (10)
Ireland need 119 runs to win from 11 overs at 10.82 runs per over.

Over 38: White plays out a maiden over from Panesar. It's been a good job from the tweo spinners here for England.
Ireland 140/6 (RR: 3.68): Johnston 0* (2), White 1* (8)
Ireland need 127 runs to win from 12 overs at 10.58 runs per over.

Over 37: White sweeps for a single, and Johnston blocks the last two balls of the over.
Ireland 140/6 (RR: 3.78): Johnston 0* (2), White 1* (2)
Ireland need 127 runs to win from 13 overs at 9.77 runs per over.

White is the new batsman for Ireland.

WICKET!
N O'Brien st Nixon b Vaughan 63 (88)
Wonderful bowling from Vaughan, tossing the ball right up, O'Brien runs past it to be stumped by yards.

Over 36: Johston is the new batsman for Ireland.
Ireland 139/5 (RR: 3.86): N O'Brien 63* (86), Johnston 0* (0)
Ireland need 128 runs to win from 14 overs at 9.14 runs per over.

WICKET!
K O'Brien lbw b Panesar 12 (19)
Kevin gets a boundary with a lovely drive inside-out over cover, but Panesar gets instant revenge, trapping the batsman lbw. Not as plumb as the one turned down a short while ago, but still out.

Drinks. Well, they've made hard work of it, but England finally seem to have the game won here. The spinners Panesar and Vaughan have put the brakes on to good effet, even if it hasn't made for the most gripping spectacle. Niall O'Brien's batted nicely though.

Over 35: Niall gets two with a flick into the legside, and adds a single with an ugly mow into the legside. Kevin gets a single from the final ball of the over, and both teams seem to be going through the motions at the moment.
Ireland 133/4 (RR: 3.80): N O'Brien 62* (83), K O'Brien 7* (16)
Ireland need 134 runs to win from 15 overs at 8.93 runs per over.

Over 34: Four dot balls from Panesar to Kevin before the right-hander is finally ablel to get the ball to deep cover for a single. Niall gets a single from the final ball of the over, and the required rate continues to climb.
Ireland 129/4 (RR: 3.79): N O'Brien 59* (78), K O'Brien 6* (15)
Ireland need 138 runs to win from 16 overs at 8.63 runs per over.

Over 33: Six runs from the over, but that's nowhere near enough for Ireland at the moment.
Ireland 127/4 (RR: 3.85): N O'Brien 58* (77), K O'Brien 5* (10)
Ireland need 140 runs to win from 17 overs at 8.24 runs per over.

Over 32: Awful decision from Simon Taufel, sparing Kevin when absolutely plumb in front of all three. Just two singles from the over, but there really should have been a wicket as well.
Ireland 121/4 (RR: 3.78): N O'Brien 55* (74), K O'Brien 2* (7)
Ireland need 146 runs to win from 18 overs at 8.11 runs per over.

Over 31: Niall gets a single from the third ball of the over, and Kevin gets off the mark with a single down the ground from the final ball of the over.
Ireland 119/4 (RR: 3.84): N O'Brien 54* (72), K O'Brien 1* (3)
Ireland need 148 runs to win from 19 overs at 7.79 runs per over.

Over 30: Niall gets a single from the final ball of the over.
Ireland 117/4 (RR: 3.90): N O'Brien 53* (69), K O'Brien 0* (0)
Ireland need 150 runs to win from 20 overs at 7.50 runs per over.

A brotherly affair in the middle now as Kevin joins Niall. For ease, that's what I'll call them in this partnership.

WICKET!
A Botha c Flintoff b Panesar 18 (39)
With the pressure growing, the big shot had to be just round the corner. Sure enough, Botha tries to slog-sweep but only picks out Flintoff at long-on.

Over 29: Both men get singles, and O'Brien's takes him to a decent half-century - even if only 47 have come off the bat. O'Brien gets two with a neat chip down the ground.
Ireland 114/3 (RR: 3.93): N O'Brien 52* (68), Botha 16* (34)
Ireland need 153 runs to win from 21 overs at 7.29 runs per over.

O'Brien 50: 66 balls, 4 x 4s

Over 28: Five singles from the over, but singles aren't going to do the trick for Ireland here. One of these two batsman will have to tee off at some stage.
Ireland 110/3 (RR: 3.93): N O'Brien 49* (63), Botha 15* (33)
Ireland need 157 runs to win from 22 overs at 7.14 runs per over.

Over 27: O'Brien pushes down the ground for a single, and Botha then gets lucky with a skier that just lands safe as Mahmood rushes in from the boundary. O'Brien gets a third single from the over with a top-edged sweep, but England have the squeeze on here and the pressure is beginning to tell.
Ireland 105/3 (RR: 3.89): N O'Brien 46* (59), Botha 13* (30)
Ireland need 162 runs to win from 23 overs at 7.04 runs per over.

Over 26: Just two singles - one a leg-bye - from a probing Panesar over, and the required rate is climbing steadily now.
Ireland 102/3 (RR: 3.92): N O'Brien 44* (54), Botha 12* (29)
Ireland need 165 runs to win from 24 overs at 6.88 runs per over.

Over 25: A wide down the legside from Vaughan, and O'Brien gets a single on the legside next ball. The next ball comes off Botha's pads for a leg-bye, and O'Brien uses his feet to get the ball to deep midwicket for a single. Botha cuts the final ball of the over hard to deep cover for another single.
Ireland 100/3 (RR: 4.00): N O'Brien 43* (52), Botha 12* (26)
Ireland need 167 runs to win from 25 overs at 6.68 runs per over.

Over 24: Botha whips to leg for a single, and then an absolute howler from Nixon concedes three byes as the ball goes through the keeper's legs. Well it should have been three byes, but there's no single, so O'Brien gets three bonus runs. Good over from Panesar.
Ireland 95/3 (RR: 3.96): N O'Brien 41* (49), Botha 11* (23)
Ireland need 172 runs to win from 26 overs at 6.62 runs per over.

Over 23: O'Brien gets a single to midwicket, and Botha gets another down the ground. Tidy first over from Vaughan though, just two singles coming from it.
Ireland 91/3 (RR: 3.96): N O'Brien 38* (48), Botha 10* (18)
Ireland need 176 runs to win from 27 overs at 6.52 runs per over.

Skipper Vaughan brings himself into the attack, so it's spin at both ends.

Over 22: O'Brien cuts hard for a single, and then Botha gets a streaky two with an inside edge past the stumps. He gets a single with a flick to midwicket, and O'Brien adds another from the final ball of the over.
Ireland 89/3 (RR: 4.05): N O'Brien 37* (45), Botha 9* (15)
Ireland need 178 runs to win from 28 overs at 6.36 runs per over.

Monty Panesar is into the attack for the first time.

Over 21: Two singles from the first two balls of Flintoff's over, and a no-ball follows. Flintoff offers some width to Botha who cuts hard behind point for a boundary, but Flintoff drags the over back well, ending with three dot balls.
Ireland 84/3 (RR: 4.00): N O'Brien 35* (43), Botha 6* (11)
Ireland need 183 runs to win from 29 overs at 6.31 runs per over.

Over 20: O'Brien clips to square-leg for a couple of runs and then eases down the ground for a single. Botha plays and misses twice in succession, but Collingwood follows with a wide down the legside. Botha gets off the mark with a single to third-man from the final ball of thr powerplay.
Ireland 77/3 (RR: 3.85): N O'Brien 34* (42), Botha 1* (5)
Ireland need 190 runs to win from 30 overs at 6.33 runs per over.

Over 19: Botha lets the final ball of the over go through to the keeper, and that's a wicket-maiden for Flintoff.
Ireland 72/3 (RR: 3.79): N O'Brien 31* (40), Botha 0* (1)
Ireland need 195 runs to win from 31 overs at 6.29 runs per over.

Another leftie strides to the crease in the shape of Botha.

WICKET!
WTS Porterfield c Bell b Flintoff 31 (68)
Something was clearly going to give after a tight spell of cricket, and it duly does as Porterfield tries to play a big shot but simply spoons a catch to Bell at cover.

Over 18: Porterfield slices somewhat fortuitously to third-man for a single, and that's all Ireland can get from a tidy Collingwood over. For the first time, the required rate is up above a run a ball.
Ireland 72/2 (RR: 4.00): Porterfield 31* (63), N O'Brien 31* (40)
Ireland need 195 runs to win from 32 overs at 6.09 runs per over.

Over 17: Flintoff's first ball comes off Porterfield's pad for a leg-bye. O'Brien pushes to mid-on and scampers through for a single. Porterfield guides to third-man for another single. Better over from Flintoff, but still short of his best.
Ireland 71/2 (RR: 4.18): Porterfield 30* (60), N O'Brien 31* (37)
Ireland need 196 runs to win from 33 overs at 5.94 runs per over.

Flintoff was poor in his first spell. Perhaps this switch of ends will do the trick for the big man.

Over 16: Short and wide from Collingwood, and O'Brien crunches the ball through the covers off the back foot for a fine boundary. Collingwood comes back well, beating O'Brien with a slower ball. O'Brien gets a tight single, having to dive to beat Bopara's pinpoint throw from cover. Porterfield pushes a single from the final ball of the over, and this partnership is building nicely for Ireland.
Ireland 68/2 (RR: 4.25): Porterfield 29* (58), N O'Brien 30* (33)
Ireland need 199 runs to win from 34 overs at 5.85 runs per over.

England take the third and final powerplay.

Over 15: O'Brien flicks the ball fine on the legside and beats Flintoff to the boundary. O'Brien comes down the track to Mahmood, who follows the batsman and the ball comes off the body and perilously close to the stumps. O'Brien gets the next ball to third-man and runs hard to get back for two. He's a busy cricketer, and gets another single from the next ball.
Ireland 62/2 (RR: 4.13): Porterfield 28* (56), N O'Brien 25* (29)
Ireland need 205 runs to win from 35 overs at 5.86 runs per over.

Over 14: O'Brien tries to slog-sweep Collingwood, but just gets a toe-end into the legside for two runs. The next ball comes off bat and pad for a single, and Porterfield gets two from the final ball of Collingwood's over with a drive into the covers.
Ireland 55/2 (RR: 3.93): Porterfield 28* (54), N O'Brien 18* (25)
Ireland need 212 runs to win from 36 overs at 5.89 runs per over.

England's man of the moment Collingwood is into the attack.

Over 13: Porterfield is beaten all ends up by a cracker from Mahmood that jst moves across the left-hander, and almost gives Bopara a catch at short extra-cover after spooning a slower ball, but it lands just short of the fielder. Excellent maiden over from Mahmood.
Ireland 50/2 (RR: 3.85): Porterfield 26* (53), N O'Brien 15* (20)
Ireland need 217 runs to win from 37 overs at 5.86 runs per over.

Over 12: Gorgeous shot from O'Brien, creaming the ball through backward-point off the back foot for four runs, and he adds a single on the legside next ball. He's a good player and could make Joyce pay for that shocking miss earlier. Flintoff is just struggling slightly here, and gets flicked away for two more by Porterfield. Porterfield gets just a single from a good-lookingh straight drive as Pietersen makes a tumbling stop at mid-off.
Ireland 50/2 (RR: 4.17): Porterfield 26* (47), N O'Brien 15* (20)
Ireland need 217 runs to win from 38 overs at 5.71 runs per over.

Over 11: Joyce is having a day to forget here against his former team-mates, dropping an easy catch as O'Brien miscues a pull into the legside. Still no luck for Mahmood as a slower ball completely deceives Porterfield who almost drags the ball into his stumps.
Ireland 42/2 (RR: 3.82): Porterfield 23* (44), N O'Brien 10* (17)
Ireland need 225 runs to win from 39 overs at 5.77 runs per over.

The second powerplay is taken, and a change of ends for Mahmood.

Over 10: Porterfield gets nowhere near an attempted cut at a short ball fromFlintoff, who follows up with a no-ball. Another no-ball from Flintoff is nicely driven through point by Porterfield, who gets three runs as Bell makes a brilliant sprawling stop to save a run. O'Brien nurdles the final ball of the first powerplay to leg for a single.
Ireland 41/2 (RR: 4.10): Porterfield 23* (41), N O'Brien 9* (14)
Ireland need 226 runs to win from 40 overs at 5.65 runs per over.

Over 9: Porterfield clips the ball neatly off his pads for two runs and then squirts a drive to third-man for a single. Better over from Anderson, just three from it.
Ireland 35/2 (RR: 3.89): Porterfield 20* (35), N O'Brien 8* (12)
Ireland need 232 runs to win from 41 overs at 5.66 runs per over.

Over 8: O'Brien gets a thick inside edge to Flintoff's first delivery and watches with relief as the ball misses the off stump by a whisker and runs away for four. O'Brien gets a bottom edge wide of slip for a single, but doesn't look comfortable against Flintoff. Porterfield looks more in control, and works to leg for a single. O'Brien defends the final two balls of the over into the covers.
Ireland 32/2 (RR: 4.00): Porterfield 17* (30), N O'Brien 8* (11)
Ireland need 235 runs to win from 42 overs at 5.60 runs per over.

Flintoff is into the attack for England.

Over 7: Porterfield gets four with a classy drive down the ground, and then adds a single with a pull off the hip to fine-leg. O'Brien pushes into the covers and a slight misfield from Bell allows a single. The final ball of an erratic Anderson over is a good one, beating Porterfield's outside edge.
Ireland 26/2 (RR: 3.71): Porterfield 16* (28), N O'Brien 3* (7)
Ireland need 241 runs to win from 43 overs at 5.60 runs per over.

Over 6: O'Brien gets a single from the first ball of the over, and Porterfield smacks through cover off the back foot for three. O'Brien gets another single from a no-ball and a clip off the legs gets three more for Porterfield.
Ireland 20/2 (RR: 3.33): Porterfield 11* (23), N O'Brien 2* (6)
Ireland need 247 runs to win from 44 overs at 5.61 runs per over.

Over 5: Four on-the-spot dot balls from Anderson, followed by a beauty that shapes across the left-handed Porterfield and beats the outside edge. Maiden over to Anderson.
Ireland 11/2 (RR: 2.20): Porterfield 5* (20), N O'Brien 0* (2)
Ireland need 256 runs to win from 45 overs at 5.69 runs per over.

Over 4: O'Brien survives the final two balls of the over, but this is a fine start for England.
Ireland 11/2 (RR: 2.75): Porterfield 5* (14), N O'Brien 0* (2)
Ireland need 256 runs to win from 46 overs at 5.57 runs per over.

Niall O'Brien is the new batsman with Ireland in early trouble here.

WICKET!
EJG Morgan run out (Mahmood) 2 (7)
Brilliant work from Mahmood as the batsmen try to take a quick single. Mahmood charges to the ball in his followthrough and flicks the ball into the stumps with Morgan inches short of his ground.

Over 3: Morgan gets off the mark with a guide to third-man for a single, and Anderson follows with another wide down the legside. Porterfield clips to leg for a single
Ireland 10/1 (RR: 3.33): Porterfield 5* (13), Morgan 1* (4)
Ireland need 257 runs to win from 47 overs at 5.47 runs per over.

Over 2: Good start from Mahmood, fizzing one past Porterfield's outside edge and working up good pace. Maiden over to start for Mahmood, and a decent one at that.
Ireland 6/1 (RR: 3.00): Porterfield 3* (10), Morgan 0* (1)
Ireland need 261 runs to win from 48 overs at 5.44 runs per over.

Mahmood will share the new ball.

Over 1: Morgan lets the last ball of a successful over go through to the keeper.
Ireland 6/1 (RR: 6.00): Porterfield 3* (4), Morgan 0* (1)
Ireland need 261 runs to win from 49 overs at 5.33 runs per over.

Morgan is the new batsman for Ireland.

WICKET!
J Bray c Bopara b Anderson 0 (1)
Porterfield clips the ball nicely off his pads for three runs as Anderson swings one into the pads. A wild legside delivery from Anderson evades Nixon and costs a total of three, but Bray then slaps a full delivery straight to Bopara at backward-point, who takes a sharp catch millimetres from the turf. Great start for England as Ireland's in-form batsman departs early.

James Anderson will bowl the first over of the innings.

Jeremy Bray and William Porterfield are the opening batsman for Ireland. Like the rest of the top five, they're lefties.

The England players are out on the field and into their trademark huddle. In truth, they should have more than enough runs here on a slightly two-paced surface that makes shot-making tricky. A fact that only makes Collingwood's late efforts all the more laudable.

England: 266 for seven (50 overs)
Ireland need 267 to win at 5.34 runs per over

It looked like being a trademark England innings as they stumbled their way to 125 for four from 30 overs. But an explosive dart from Collingwood, Nixon and Bopara at the death saw 65 runs come from the last five overs and take England to a score that will surely be well beyond Ireland's compass. It was very dodgy for quite a long while there, though.

Over 50: Bopara levers the ball through the legside and runs hard to get back for the second run. Bopara hits down the ground and scampers hard to get back for a second run, and Bopara drives the final ball of the innings beautifully down the ground for a wonderful boundary to complete the innings.
England 266/7 (RR: 5.32): Bopara 10* (5), Mahmood 0* (0)

Saj Mahmood the new batsman, at the non-striker's end. Three balls to go.

PD Collingwood run out (White/Johnston) 90 (82):
Bopara gets a single from the first ball of the over, and Collingwood hits down the ground for two more. Collingwood is then run out trying to take a quick single to midwicket. Brilliant innings from Collingwood, getting England out of a huge hole and into a position of some safety.

Johnston to bowl the final over of the innings.

Over 49: Collingwood works through the legside for two runs, and then gets another single to midwicket from the fourth ball of the over. Bopara clips to long-leg for a single to get off the mark, and Collingwood smashes the final ball of the over high over long-on for another maximum. Collingwood 12 away from a century...
England 255/6 (RR: 5.20): Collingwood 88* (80), Bopara 1* (1)

Ravi Bopara is the new batsman, but he won't be on strike just yet as Collingwood had crossed.

WICKET!
P Nixon c Morgan b Botha 19 (14)
Nixon smashes the first ball of the penultimate over high into the stands at midwicket for six, but then hits the next one straight up in the air, and Morgan takes a nice catch, judging the flight well running back from mid-on. Usefull cameo from Nico though.

Over 48: Nixon clips to leg, but gets just one as he picks out deep square-leg. Fine-leg comes into the circle, and there's a sense of inevitability as Collingwood shovesl the ball over him for a boundary. Clever batting. Collingwood gets a thick edge to third-man for asingle, and Nixon chips down the ground for another. Collingwood heaves the next ball over midwicket, and just has enough on it to clear the ropes for six. Another good over for England, who now look like getting up over 250, by hook or by crook.
England 239/5 (RR: 4.98): Collingwood 79* (77), Nixon 13* (13)

Over 47: Botha's first ball comes off Nixon's pad for a leg-bye, and Collingwood is now in full tee-off mode, launching the ball gloriously over midwicket for a big six. Collingwood shovels the next ball into the legside for a single. Nixon whacks the next ball to Morgan at midwicket but goes through for the single anyway. Collingwood hits hard but straight to deep cover for just a single. Nixon clubs the next ball to long-on where Porterfield almost takes a stunning catch, but can't wuite keep the ball off the turf.
England 226/5 (RR: 4.81): Collingwood 68* (73), Nixon 11* (11)

Over 46: With mid-off up in the circle, Collingwood goes over the top and gets four despite not getting the ball out of the middle of the bat. He whips the next ball to midwicket, but despite some scampering from both batsmen there's only one there. Nixon comes down the track to Johnston and hits him firmly over mid-on for another boundary. Good batting from the veteran left-hander. Nixon gives himself room and heaves the next ball into the legside but gets only a single as he picks out the man at deep midwicket. A third boundary in the over follows as Collingwood smacks the ball over midwicket. Good over for England - 14 from it. A couple more overs like that, and England will start to feel a touch safer here.
England 215/5 (RR: 4.67): Collingwood 60* (70), Nixon 9* (8)

Over 45: Nixon gets a single from the first ball of the over, and Collingwood adds another from ball two. Nixon pulls to long-leg for another single, and Collingwood gets another single to go to an excellent 50. Nixon shovels the ball into the legside for another single to bring up England's 200. At last. Another single from Collingwood completes the fence for the over; 111111.
England 201/5 (RR: 4.47): Collingwood 51* (66), Nixon 4* (6)

Collingwood 50: 65 balls, 5 x 4s

Over 44: Nixon gets off the mark third ball, hitting down the ground for a single. Every time England seem to have regained control of this match, Ireland come back and keep themselves in it.
England 195/5 (RR: 4.43): Collingwood 48* (63), Nixon 1* (3)

Paul Nixon is promoted up the order to number seven.

WICKET!
A Flintoff b Johnston 43 (62)
Massive wicket for Ireland. The batsmen collect two singles from the first two balls of the over, but the third is a slower ball from Johnston and Flintoff chops it on to his stumps. Again, England are forced to adjust, and a potential total of over 250 may have to be revised down to around 230 here, which will give Ireland a sniff.

Over 43: Flintoff slices a drive over the cover fielder and gets back for two runs. A firm push down the ground gets Flintoff two more as long-on labours to get round to the ball. The next ball is whipped over midwicket for a single, and it's clear that England have decided the time has come to kick on here. Collingwood drives down the ground for a single, and Flintoff adds another from the fifth ball. Collingwood makes it a very good over for England, clubbing the final ball straight down the ground and splitting the long-on and long-off fielders.
England 192/4 (RR: 4.47): Collingwood 47* (62), Flintoff 42* (60)

Kevin O'Brien back into the attack.

Over 42: A premeditated sweep shot gets Collingwood four with fine-leg up in the circle, but Johnston follows with two dot balls. Englandthen get the ball changed - a common tactic used y the batting side at this stage in the hope of getting a slightly newer ball that travels further off the bat. Collingwood gets the new ball down the ground for a single, and Flintoff adds another from the final ball of the over.
England 181/4 (RR: 4.31): Collingwood 42* (60), Flintoff 36* (56)

Johnston brings himself back into the attack. There's a problem for Ireland - Rankin is off the field and will not be coming back on. He was impressive at the top of the innings, and he had three overs to go that Ireland need to find from somewhere.

Over 41: Collingwood hits to cover and gets a single despite Eoin Morgan's fine diving stop. Flintoff pushes into the covers for another single. Collingwood gets a single from the fourth ball of the over, and Flintoff can't get anything from the final two balls of a cracking spell of spin bowling from McCallan.
England 175/4 (RR: 4.27): Collingwood 37* (55), Flintoff 35* (55)

The impressive McCallan is into his final over.

Over 40: Flintoff pushes down the ground, and Collingwood capitalises on some slightly lazy fielding from White to get back for a second run. Flintoff tucks an attempted yorker from Botha into the legside for a single, and Collingwood adds another from the final ball of another tidy over from Botha.
England 172/4 (RR: 4.30): Collingwood 35* (52), Flintoff 34* (52)

Over 39: Flintoff goes for a big hit and makes no contact. He is admonished by Collingwood, and responds by nurdling the next ball into the legside for a single. Collingwood shovels to leg for another single, and Flintoff gets one more from the final ball of the over.
England 168/4 (RR: 4.31): Collingwood 34* (51), Flintoff 31* (47)

Over 38: Clever invention from Collingwood, sweeping Botha over the short fine-leg and away for four. He adds a single, and Flintoff follows suit. Six from the over, and this partnership is now past 50. England need plenty more though.
England 165/4 (RR: 4.34): Collingwood 33* (49), Flintoff 29* (43)

Botha is back into the attack for Ireland.

Over 37: Collingwood bunts down the ground for a single, and Flintoff goes for the big shot. He finds the gap on this occasion and gets four runs as the ball bounces inches short of the rope. Flintoff hits down the ground for a single, and Collingwood adds another from the final ball of the over.
England 159/4 (RR: 4.30): Collingwood 28* (44), Flintoff 28* (42)

Over 36: Collingwood brings up England's 150 pushing a full-toss down the ground for a single. Flintoff slices another White full-toss into the covers and scampers back for a second run. A direct hit would have had Flintoff in trouble, but with O'Brien having to take the ball and remove the bails himself, the batsman gets home safely, albeit after a referral to the TV umpire.
England 152/4 (RR: 4.22): Collingwood 26* (40), Flintoff 23* (40)

Over 35: Collingwood pushes down the ground for a single, and a wide down the legside that beats O'Brien as well gets England a total of three runs. Flintoff gives McCallan the charge and gets himself into a tangle, missing a pull and getting hit on the body. McCallan then fires another wide down the legside, and he needs to get back on the accurate line and length that served him well for the rest of the spell.
England 149/4 (RR: 4.26): Collingwood 25* (38), Flintoff 21* (36)

Over 34: Two singles from the first three balls of the over, before a good-looking drive through the covers from Collingwood gets three runs. Still just five from the over though as England sit in, presumably wondering when to launch anassault at the end of the innings.
England 144/4 (RR: 4.24): Collingwood 24* (36), Flintoff 21* (32)

Another bowling change from Ireland, as Andrew White comes into the attack. Good move to bring the second spinner in and take the pace off the ball. McCallan has already caused problems.

Over 33: Just three singles come from McCallan's over, and England are finding it hard to get the spinner away.
England 139/4 (RR: 4.21): Collingwood 20* (34), Flintoff 20* (28)

Over 32: Flintoff hits the first ball of Langford-Smith's second spell effortlessly over the bowler's head for four. That prompts Johnston to drop mid-off back, and Flintoff responds by clipping the next ball through midwicket for a second boundary in two balls. Flintoff plays two exaggerated forward defensive strokes to the next two balls. Another firm drive is straight at the bowler who fields well in his followthrough, and Langford-Smith has done pretty well to drag that over back after the first two balls disappeared to the fence.
England 136/4 (RR: 4.25): Collingwood 18* (32), Flintoff 19* (24)

Langford-Smith is back into the attack. He was a touch disappointing with the new ball, but has a chance to put that right.

Over 31: England nudge three singles from the first three balls of the over, but Collingwood can get nothing from the final three deliveries of another decent over of spin from McCallan.
England 128/4 (RR: 4.13): Collingwood 18* (32), Flintoff 11* (18)

Over 30: The first ball of Rankin's over flicks off Flintoff's pads for a leg-bye. All runs, however acquired, gratefully received by England. Rankin needs some treatment for cramp, and the umpires decide that's an appropriate time for a drinks break. No doubt about who is the happier side at this stage. Rankin is able to continue, and Collingwood immediately works the ball throuthe covers off the back foot for a single. Flintoff deflects a short ball to third-man for another single. Three runs from an elongated over.
England 125/4 (RR: 4.17): Collingwood 17* (28), Flintoff 9* (16)

Over 29: England are stagnating here, just one run coming from the final ball of McCallan's over.
England 122/4 (RR: 4.21): Collingwood 16* (25), Flintoff 8* (13)

Over 28: Collingwood helps a short ball from Rankin to deep square-leg for a single. Johnston may have missed a trick here. With Flintoff new to the crease and Ireland' premier fast bowler back into the attack, there should probably be a slip in. Flintoff gets two runs with a controlled cut shot behind point, and gets a single with a guide to third-man that only adds to the impression that a slip would be a good shout.
England 121/4 (RR: 4.32): Collingwood 16* (25), Flintoff 7* (7)

Rankin is back into the attack. Good move from Johnston, going for the kill with England very much there for the taking.

Over 27: Flintoff drives his first delivery dismissively and effortlessly through the covers for four runs, and blocks the final two balls of the over, a hugely significant one in this match.
England 117/4 (RR: 4.33): Collingwood 15* (23), Flintoff 4* (3)

Andrew Flintoff is the new batsman, and he is yet to score a run in the tournament. England need their talisman here.

WICKET!
KP Pietersen c Porterfield b McCallan 48 (47)
It was always the concern. Batting was ridiculously easy for Pietersen here, but he's given his wicket away in soft fashion here, clipping the gentle spin of McCallan in the air straight to Porterfield at midwicket. England are really in desperate trouble now, with the man who was keeping the run-rate vaguely above embarrassing now out of the picture.

Over 26: Pietersen gets a thick inside edge into the legside from an attempted cover drive, and gets a lucky single. Collingwood flicks to deep square-leg for another single, and Pietersen makes it three from three with a push down the ground. Collingwood releases some of the pressure as O'Brien drops short, cutting hard behind point to the boundary. Clever batting from Collingwood from the final ball of the over, getting across his stumps and working to leg for a single. Let's hops Bell is watching this.
England 112/3 (RR: 4.31): Pietersen 48* (45), Collingwood 14* (22)

Over 25: Pietersen is down the track to the first ball of McCallan's over and hits down the ground in controlled fashion for a single. Collingwood adds another single to long-on, and more excellent footwork from Pietersen allows him to hit down the ground for another simple run.
England 104/3 (RR: 4.16): Pietersen 46* (43), Collingwood 8* (18)

Over 24: Collingwood gets the fourth ball of the over down the ground for a single. Pietersen's been away from strike for a while, and plays a loose drive just wide of cover at catchable height. Two runs, but a warning for KP, who gets a single from the final ball of the over.
England 101/3 (RR: 4.21): Pietersen 44* (41), Collingwood 7* (14)

Over 23: Lovely shot from Collingwood, placing a sweetly-timed drive wide of mid-off for four runs. Collingwood blocks the next four balls, and works the final ball of the over into the legside for a single.
England 97/3 (RR: 4.22): Pietersen 41* (39), Collingwood 6* (10)

Spin for the first time as McCallan comes into the attack.

Over 22: O'Brien welcomes Collingwood to the crease with two wides outside the off stump. He then gets back on line and Collingwood blocks solidly. Collingwood gets off the mark with a single down the ground from the final ball of a successful first over for Kevin O'Brien. Not a bad one for his brother either, who took a good catch standing up to the stumps.
England 92/3 (RR: 4.18): Pietersen 41* (39), Collingwood 1* (4)

Paul Collingwood is the new batsman, and this is a critical partnership for England, who are in danger of joining Pakistan on Ireland's list of high-profile casualties.

WICKET!
IR Bell c N O'Brien b K O'Brien 31 (74)
Instant success, as the brothers join foces to send Bell back to the shed. Once again, he's got himself in - using up an awful lot of overs in the process - and then given his wicket away in farcical fashion. This time Bell tries to glide the ball to third-man, but it's too close to him and he gets just a thin edge through to the keeper. Problems for England here.

All-rounder Kevin O'Brien is into the attack for Ireland.

Over 21: Pietersen bunts the second ball of Botha's over down the ground for a single. Bell finally gets a run with a firm push to long-on. Ireland probably made a mistake dropping the field with Bell on strike. Pietersen hits down the ground for another easy single, and Bell follows suit. Four singles from the over, and we're firmly in the 'dull middle overs' period now.
England 89/2 (RR: 4.24): Bell 31* (72), Pietersen 41* (39)

Over 20: Pietersen still happy to push down the ground for a single from the first ball of the over. Bell blocks five more balls, and Ireland are probably quite happy to keep him in here. He's eaten up a lot of deliveries, and now can't even push singles effectively - he's faced 11 consecutive dot balls.
England 85/2 (RR: 4.25): Bell 29* (70), Pietersen 39* (35)

Johnston to bowl the final powerplay over. What will KP do?

Over 19: Botha highlightsthe indifferent bounce in this track, almost squeezing a ball under Bell's forward defensive. Botha completes a good maiden over, with Bell unable to maneouvre the ball through a packed infield. Clever bowling from Botha, and evidence of Bell's limitations in this form of the game.
England 84/2 (RR: 4.42): Bell 29* (65), Pietersen 38* (34)

Over 18: Pietersen takes a well-judged quick single after defending to mid-on, and Bell adds another single to midwicket. Pietersen can't pierce the infield flicking a full-toss from Johnston to leg and he has to settle for a single. Bell gets another run with a drive wide of mid-off.
England 84/2 (RR: 4.67): Bell 29* (59), Pietersen 38* (34)

Over 17: Bell does the right thing, easing down the ground for a single to give Pietersen the strike. Botha looks for the yorker, but Pietersen easily gets it down the ground for another single. The final ball of Botha's over is on the leg stump and Bell clips it away for an easy two.
England 80/2 (RR: 4.71): Bell 27* (57), Pietersen 36* (30)

Over 16: Bell pushes a single to midwicket from the first ball of the over, and Pietersen guides to third-man for a single next ball. Bell drives hard down the ground, but the stumps at the bowler's end do some smart fielding for Ireland, saving four. Another firm straight drive from Bell gets nothing as this time the bowler Johnston gets in the way. Bell pushes the final ball of the over, and is able to get a single with the man right on the edge of the 30-yard circle.
England 76/2 (RR: 4.75): Bell 24* (52), Pietersen 35* (29)

Ireland take the final powerplay.

Drinks. Pietersen has come out in aggressive mood and looked to wrest the initiative from Ireland after Rankin ripped out both openers. And Pietersen has done just that. It's already abundantly clear that the Ireland bowlers aren't good enough to bowl to Pietersen, and he should help himself to a big century here. Unless he does something daft...

Over 15: Pietersen drives wide of mid-off, but gets only a single as Kyle McCallan makes a diving stop. Bell gets a single from the next ball to the same fielder. Pietersen turns a slower ball into the legside for a single, and Bell adds a fourth single from the final ball of the over. That's the 50 partnership.
England 73/2 (RR: 4.87): Bell 22* (47), Pietersen 34* (28)

Over 14: More width from Johnston, but this time Pietersen only carves to third-man for a single. Bell plays out the rest of the over in watchful defence.
England 69/2 (RR: 4.93): Bell 20* (43), Pietersen 32* (26)

Over 13: Bell bunts down the ground for a single, and Pietersen eases down the ground for another. Good start from Botha, who has proved hard to get on top of in this tournament.
England 68/2 (RR: 5.23): Bell 20* (38), Pietersen 31* (25)

Andre Botha is into the attack in place of Langford-Smith. How these change bowlers perform will be crucial to this game. The early signs are not good for Ireland.

Over 12: Johnston offers width with his first two balls, and Pietersen hammers them both to the cover fence, one off the back foot and one off the front. The only person who can get Pietersen out here is Pietersen himself - he looks in imperious form. He whips the fourth ball of the over through square-leg for another two runs before straight-driving for a third boundary in the over.
England 66/2 (RR: 5.50): Bell 19* (35), Pietersen 30* (22)

Johsnton brings himself into the attack in place of Rankin.

Over 11:With Pietersen looking to use his feet, Niall O'Brien is up to the stumps. It makes no odds, as Pietersen whacks Langford-Smith through wide mid-on for a dismissive boundary. Pietersen nurdles the next ball into the legside to bring up what has been a rather eventful 50 for England. Bell square-drives for a couple more, and he looks like he is settling down to play the anchor role. Unfortunately, that's usually the point he offers up a simple catch.
England 52/2 (RR: 4.73): Bell 19* (35), Pietersen 16* (16)

Ireland take the second powerplay straight away.

Over 10: Rankin will have to learn quickly that he lacks the pace to bowl short to Pietersen. He makes the mistake here, and the ball disappears with speed over midwicket to the boundary. Pietersen is down the wicket and across his stumps next ball, and clips the ball through square midwicket for three more. Batting is definitely getting easier now, and it's clear that England missed a trick at the toss; the only possible way for Ireland to win this game was to make inroads with the new ball in the first innings of the match, and Vaughan gave them that chance.
England 45/2 (RR: 4.50): Bell 17* (31), Pietersen 11* (14)

Over 9: Bell clips to leg for a single, and with Pietersen on strike the second slip comes in at short extra-cover. Pietersen carves a full and wide delivery to third-man for a single, and Bell drives the final ball of the over hard but straight back to the bowler.
England 38/2 (RR: 4.22): Bell 17* (30), Pietersen 4* (9)

Over 8: Rankin starts his fourth over with two wides down the legside, and that takes extras into double-figures. Another legside delivery is clipped to long-leg for a single by Pietersen. Bell gets a streaky boundary with an unconvincing cut over the top of the slip cordon. A short ball from Rankin is pulled through midwicket by Bell, who runs hard to get three as the ball slows up on the still-damp outfield.
England 36/2 (RR: 4.50): Bell 16* (27), Pietersen 3* (6)

Over 7: Langford-Smith bowls another wide, but then almost bowls Bell two balls running. Bell is then beaten by one that keeps low and goes under the attempted cut shot. Apart from the wide, a much better over from Langford-Smith.
England 26/2 (RR: 3.71): Bell 9* (23), Pietersen 2* (4)

Can Langford-Smith back up the efforts of Rankin?

Over 6: Pietersen pushes down the ground for two runs to get off the mark, and then lets two go through to the keeper wide of his off stump. Fine over from Rankin.
England 25/2 (RR: 4.17): Bell 9* (17), Pietersen 2* (4)

Kevin Pietersen, world number one, is the new batsman for England, and his side need something special from their main man here.

WICKET!
MP Vaughan c N O'Brien b Rankin 6 (13)
England in real trouble early in Guyana. Bell gets a single to leg, and Rankin then gets one to shape away from Vaughan and find the outside edge. O'Brien completes the formalities behind the stumps, but Vaughan really could have let that ball go - it was fairly wide of the stumps. So one England opener falls leaving one he should play, and the other playing one he should leave. Not a good start.

Over 5: Langford-Smith overpitches in the search for swing, and Bell drives sweetly through extra-cover for his first boundary. Langford-Smith fires a couple of wides down the legside and then bowls a no-ball that Bell clips through midwicket for two more. Ill-discipline from an experienced bowler here, rather letting England off the hook. The ball will only misbehave for the first 10 or so overs here,and Ireland must capitalise. Bell flicks another legside delivery to square-leg for a single, and Langford-Smith ends a poor over with a good ball that beats Vaughan outside the off stump.
England 22/1 (RR: 4.40): Vaughan 6* (12), Bell 8* (16)

Over 4: Excellent over from Rankin again, completing a probing maiden over to the England captain. There's movement both in the air and off the pitch, and with Rankin's height the ball is getting through to keeper O'Brien nicely.
England 12/1 (RR: 3.00): Vaughan 6* (11), Bell 1* (10)

Over 3: Vaughan tucks off his legs for a single from the first ball of Langford-Smith's second over. Again, Bell looks to get right forward before defending to gully. Langford-Smith loses all control, bowling a no-ball that would have been a certain wide but for the earlier call, and Bell gets off the mark with a single flicked to leg. Vaughan shimmies down the wicket and gets a genuine edge through about third slip for a single. Very nervy start from England here - Ireland well on top.
England 12/1 (RR: 4.00): Vaughan 6* (5), Bell 1* (10)

Over 2: Bell is immediately looking to get down the track to Rankin, who is penalised for a wide outside the off stump. Bell stays in his crease next ball, but Rankin bowls a second wide. Nothing wrong with the next ball though, jagging away and beating Bell's defensive prod. Bell is again down the wicket to the final ball of the over, but defends to gully for no run.
England 8/1 (RR: 4.00): Vaughan 4* (3), Bell 0* (5)

Ian Bell is the new batsman for England.

WICKET!
EC Joyce b Rankin 1 (5)
Terrible misjudgement from Joyce, leaving Rankin's first delivery that smacks into the off stump two-thirds of the way up. It didn't just clip the stump - it hammered it. Dream start for Ireland, and it's an embarrassed-looking Joyce who trudges off the field. His former team-mates may have some words for him after that.

Boyd Rankin will share the new ball for Ireland.

Over 1: Langford-Smith starts with a no-ball that beats Joyce's tentative drive. The first legitimate ball is close to a wide, but the umpire gives the bowler the benefit. There's a hint of inswing to the left-handed Joyce who clips to leg but straight to the fielder. Joyce gets off the mark with a thick outside edge that runs to third-man for a single. Langford-Smith failst to adjust his line for the right-handed Vaughan, who clips his first delivery through midwicket for four. A solid drive into the covers is smartly fielded by wide mid-off and there's no run. The final ball of the over swings past the outside edge and through to keeper Niall O'Brien.
England 6/0 (RR: 6.00): Joyce 1* (4), Vaughan 4* (3)

England openers Vaughan and Dublin-born Ed Joyce - playing his former side - are out in the middle. Dave Langford-Smith will open the bowling for Ireland.

England captain Michael Vaughan has won the toss and elected to bat first in this Super Eight clash against Ireland.

England are unchanged from the side that beat Kenya to secure their spot in the latter stages of this tournament, so Saj Mahmood and Ravi Bopara retain their places. For Ireland, captain Trent Johnston returns in place of John Mooney in the only change from the defeat to West Indies.

Teams:

Ireland:
J P Bray , W T S Porterfield , E J G Morgan , N J O'Brien (wkt) , K J O'Brien , A C Botha , D T Johnston (capt) , W K McCallan , A R White , D Langford-Smith , W B Rankin.

England:
M P Vaughan (capt) , E C Joyce , I R Bell , K P Pietersen , P D Collingwood , A Flintoff , R S Bopara , P A Nixon (wkt) , S I Mahmood, J M Anderson , M S Panesar.