KP’s ton props up England to 247

Kevin Pietersen scored England’s first century of the World Cup on Sunday out of a disappointing 247 all out in a Super 8s match against Australia.

Kevin Pietersen scored England’s first century of the World Cup on Sunday out of a disappointing 247 all out in a Super 8s match against Australia. England scored briskly after an early stumble to 24-2 and Pietersen and Ian Bell put on 140 for the third wicket. But two wickets in two overs in the middle of the innings stymied the run rate and England collapsed from 230-5 near the end to leave the tournament favorite what looked like an easy target.

Pietersen scored 104 and Bell, promoted to opener, hit 77 for his best score of the tournament. England had looked set for a far higher total after reaching 164-2 in the 30th over. However, the dismissals of Bell and Paul Collingwood and Andrew Flintoff’s latest failure shortly after, restricted the possibilities.

Shaun Tait, who finished with 3-41, continued England’s woes at the top of the order. His changes of pace led to Michael Vaughan and the recalled Andrew Strauss both departing early, playing on to the wicket. Vaughan was first to go, chopping on while on five as he tried to put the ball through gully. Strauss, batting at No. 3, was deceived by a slower delivery to go for seven. Captain Vaughan, who won the toss and elected to bat, has now scored a total 12 runs in his past four innings.

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With two wickets down, Bell was joined at the crease by Pietersen. Glenn McGrath came on to replace Tait and, after his first three overs went for 25 runs, was quickly taken from the attack in favor of spinner Brad Hogg.

Both batsmen made their half centuries in the 23rd over and Ponting then dropped Pietersen, although his attempt at a difficult diving catch did prevent the batsman from getting another boundary.

Scoreboard

England: I Bell c Hussey b McGrath 77, M Vaughan b Tait 5, A Strauss b Tait 7, K Pietersen c Clarke b Bracken 104, P Collingwood c Gilchrist b Tait 2, A Flintoff st Gilchrist b Hogg 4, R Bopara c Hussey b Bracken 21, P Nixon c Hodge b McGrath 8, S Mahmood c Hodge b Bracken 0, M Panesar not out 1, J Anderson lbw b McGrath 0

Extras (b-4 lb-4 w-7 nb-3) 18. Total (9 wickets, 49.3 overs) 247

Fall of wickets: 1-10 2-24 3-164 4-167 5-179 6-230 7-240 8-240 9-246

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Bowling: Bracken 10-1-33-3, Tait 10-0-41-3, McGrath 9.5-0-62-3, Clarke 4-0-27-0, Hogg 10-0-36-1, Symonds 6-0-40-0