England look to repay KP

Spin twins delight skipper Collingwood in win over South Africa

Last updated: 9th May 2010  

England look to repay KP

Yardy: Spun out South Africa

His contributions have certainly gone a long way towards getting us into the semi-finals

Paul Collingwood on Kevin Pietersen
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England are determined to make sure Kevin Pietersen gets to play again in the ICC World Twenty20, as they bid to secure a semi-final spot in his absence.

Paul Collingwood's side have one foot in the knockout stages of the tournament after their 39-run win over South Africa in Barbados.

Now they only need to avoid a heavy defeat against New Zealand in St Lucia on Monday to qualify from Group E - though that will only be the case if the Proteas manage to beat Pakistan in the earlier fixture on the same day.

England will have to try and topple the Kiwis without the in-form Pietersen, though, as he has returned home to attend the birth of his first child.

Return

The star batsman, who has made half-centuries in his last two innings, intends to return to the Caribbean in time for a semi-final on either Thursday or Friday.

"The contributions he's made in the last two games - two man-of-the-matches - have been fantastic," skipper Collingwood said of Pietersen.

"His contributions have certainly gone a long way towards getting us into the semi-finals."

"Everything going well, we hope we can get him back as well. We're delighted for him. He's about to have his first child. I know what that feels like, so it's great that he can go back and see that."

Pietersen certainly dazzled against the country of his birth before jumping on a plane for London, hammering the Proteas for 53 off 33 balls.

His thrilling innings - plus 41 from another South African-born batsman, opener Craig Kieswetter - helped post a score of 168 for seven.

South Africa slumped to 129 all out in reply, as they came a cropper against England's spin duo of Michael Yardy (two for 31) and Graeme Swann, who finished with figures of three for 24 from his four overs.

Different types

"They are two completely different types of bowlers," Collingwood said of his two slow bowlers.

"Swanny's a normal orthodox flight-and-guile spinner; Yards is a bit quicker but he can still turn the ball and he's dangerous.

"It's a great combination to have, to see the ball going away from the right-hander and the ball coming in. You need that kind of variation in those overs."

Now England need to maintain their high standards against the Kiwis, who kept themselves alive in the competition with a thrilling one-run victory over Pakistan on Saturday.

Ravi Bopara will come into the team in place of Pietersen, while Ryan Sidebottom should keep his place in front of James Anderson after his three wickets against South Africa.