Colly heaps praise on Swann

England all-rounder thrilled with Swann's first-over strike

By Rachel Griffiths   Last updated: 13th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Colly heaps praise on Swann

Swann: Praised by Colly

We are going to have to be aggressive with the ball and take our chances.

Paul Collingwood
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England all-rounder Paul Collingwood has hailed spin bowler Graeme Swann for taking a wicket in the first over for the 12th time in Chittagong.

The tourists took complete control of the first Test against Bangladesh on Saturday, finishing 445 runs ahead with the home side on 154 for five in reply to the tourists' 559 for six declared.

Collingwood wrapped up his own century before England crushed the home side's response, which could not even be saved by a determined 81 not out from Tamim Iqbal.

Momentum

Swann's strike in the first over maintained England's momentum, and Collingwood has paid tribute to his team-mate's feat.

"It's unbelievable," Collingwood told Sky Sports 2. "We do mention it as a team. It just always seems to happen."

Despite their commanding lead, Collingwood insists England must keep applying the pressure, adding: "We are going to have to be aggressive with the ball and take our chances."

Collingwood was thrilled to reach his tenth Test century, regardless of the uneven nature of the match.

"This is a special century for me," he added.

"To get 10 Test centuries, to be honest, I never thought I would achieve something like that when I started in the game.

"I've played some decent innings along the way but I haven't scored a hundred for some time, so it's a special one.

"I'm not going to get into grading whether it was my best or worst century or my easiest. I think that would be a little unfair because a Test century is a Test century."

Collingwood also praised colleague Ian Bell, who contributed to a partnership of 184 with 84.

"In the afternoon me and Belly pushed on and managed to get some runs," he added.

"We are building a good partnership together there. I enjoy batting with him. After lunch we managed to get going and put some runs on the board."

Bangladesh all-rounder Mohammad Mahmudullah, who disposed of Alastair Cook in the morning session before making 51 in his first attempt as a number five, insists nothing is set in stone despite the unstable position of his team.

Hopeful

"I am hopeful because the pitch is still good," he said.

"I would say that we made some poor shot selections today. But Tamim Iqbal (81 not out) is still at the crease and we still have Mushfiqur Rahim and Naeem Islam to bat.

"We have a good depth in our batting so I am hopeful we can avoid the follow-on and get a good score."