Collingwood, Shah bat England into useful position

Paul Collingwood and Owais Shah hit half-centuries to help England set West Indies 271 for victory in the first of their five One-day Internationals at the Guyana National Stadium on Friday.

Collingwood led the way 69 from 76 balls and Shah scored 62 from 86 balls to lift England to 270 for seven from their quota of 50 overs after they elected to bat.

Collingwood and Shah added 98 from 113 balls for the fourth wicket, but they were both dismissed in the closing overs chasing quick runs.

Shah mistimed a slog/sweep and was caught by wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin in the 42nd over to become Dwayne Bravo's 100th ODI wicket, and Collingwood swung a slower ball from Kieron Pollard to deep mid-wicket in the 47th over.

England had started shakily, after Andrew Strauss was caught at backward point off Daren Powell for 15 in the seventh over, and Kevin Pietersen was caught at mid-on off Dwayne Bravo for 17 to leave the tourists 64 for two in the 13th over.

But Ravi Bopara put on 53 from 62 balls for the third wicket with Shah before he was lbw to left-arm spinner Nikita Miller for 43 from 42 balls.

Collingwood and Shah got England back on course, but England could only raise 64 from the last 10 overs for the loss of four wickets.

For West Indies, Pollard took two for 46 from eight overs, and Bravo two for 65 from his allotted 10 overs.