Collingwood - We're disappointed

"It didn't go our way," says England skipper

Last updated: 21st June 2008

paul collingwood

Collingwood: disappointment

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England captain Paul Collingwood readily admitted his disappointment after his side let a commanding position slip to lose the third one-day international against New Zealand by 22 runs.

After putting the tourists into bat, England looked in control early on as New Zealand slumped to both 49-5 and 75-6.

But an innings of 47 in 40 balls from tail-ender Kyle Mills then proved vital to bump the Black Caps' total up to 182.

That should still have been a reachable target for England but batsman after batsman subsequently produced loose shots to give away wickets.

Collingwood top-scored with 34 but, with his departure coming with the score on 152, England still very much had work to do.

New Zealand subsequently quickly wrapped up the tail to level the series at 1-1 with two matches to play.

"We're very disappointed, at 1-0 up we were in a position to be pretty ruthless and go 2-0 up," Collingwood told Sky Sports.

"But I'm not putting it down to the bowlers today, they were fantastic. Reducing them to around 180, we'd have taken that at the start of the day.

"We'd have taken that and as batsmen we should have knocked it off.

"We edged a few, hit some straight to fielders and it didn't go our way."

Nevertheless, Collingwood remained upbeat ahead to the remaining fixtures, at The Oval on Wednesday and Lord's on Saturday.

He added: "The lads are disappointed in the dressing room but we need to get over that and come through with our heads held high. We've played some good cricket in this series.

"We knew New Zealand would fight back and we're now in a great one-day series."

Vettori delight

Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori was delighted with the way his side rescued victory from probable defeat.

"This keeps us in the series and gives us the chance of winning it," he said.

"We'll go on with a lot more confidence and to defend 180 was an outstanding effort.

"It was difficult out there and defending 180 doesn't happen that often. After the situation we've been in for the last few weeks and it feels great.

"All the talk was of getting two quick wickets - obviously Pietersen and one of Bell and Wright, who are in great form.

"Once we did that we knew we were in with a chance."