Morgan half-century helps England go 2-0 up on Australia

LONDON, (Reuters) – Eoin Morgan kept up his purple  patch of form and Paul Collingwood achieved an England landmark  in a four-wicket win over Australia in the second one-day  international in Cardiff yesterday.

Chasing Australia’s modest total of 239 for seven, the home  team reached their target with 28 balls to spare to take a 2-0  lead in the five-match series.

Left-hander Morgan, who can be clearly seen muttering to  himself “watch the ball, watch the ball” as the bowlers run in,  followed up his unbeaten 103 in the first game on Tuesday by  clubbing 52 in 64 deliveries.

He and Collingwood (48) shared a stand of 83 for the fourth  wicket after captain Andrew Strauss had made 51 and Kevin  Pietersen chipped in with 33.

Collingwood, making his 179th appearance, passed Alec  Stewart’s previous record tally of 4,677 one-day international  runs for England.

Graeme Swann then clinched victory with a towering six over  extra cover. Left-arm paceman Doug Bollinger was the pick of the  attack with three for 46.

“We got four wickets pretty early in their innings and that  put them on the back foot,” said Strauss at the presentation  ceremony.

“Chasing 239 against Australia, you would take that every  time. The key for us is not to pat ourselves on the back too  much, we’ve now got to keep it up for games three, four and  five.”   Earlier, Cameron White top-scored for Australia with 86 not  out in 98 deliveries while opener Shane Watson hit 57 and Steve  Smith added 41.

Fast bowler Stuart Broad made sure the visiting batsmen were  held in check though, taking four for 44 in his 10 overs and  wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter snapped up three catches.   “All in all it was another poor performance from us — 240  was never going to be enough unless we achieved a miracle with  the new ball,” said Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

“Our total was never enough, we were probably 40 runs short.  If we had done that it could have been a really good game.”

The third match is in Manchester on Sunday.