Cricket story by Vinnie Mitchell, Thu, 02 Mar 2006 13:04:00 GMT


NAGPUR, India- Paul Collingwood cracked an unbeaten maiden century as England finished their first innings at 393 just after lunch on day 2 of the first Test against India. In reply the hosts were 41 for the loss of Virender Sehwag's wicket at tea.

England began cautiously in the morning at 246 for 7 and Matthew Hoggard left early after he was caught behind off Shreesanth. Steve Harmison then put on a fine stand of 60 runs for the ninth wicket. Harmison scored 39, which included seven hits to the fence before he was stumped off Harbhajan Singh. Debutant Monty Panesar then joined Collingwood who still needed 21 runs to complete his maiden century.

But Panesar did not panic and stood firm while Collingwood raced to his hundred with a fine six of Harbhajan Singh, which took him to 99 and then a lofted shot which got him his 100. At lunch England were 360-9. Afterwards, Collingwood raced to 134 before Shreesanth accounted for Panesar's wicket. Shreesanth finished with impressive figures of 4-95 on debut. In their first innings, India were rattled early as Sehwag spooned an easy catch to Pietersen off Hoggard.

This was Paul Collingwood's first century in Test cricket. His previous highest score was 96, which was made on the Pakistan tour last year.

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