Publications
Partners
Saint Lucia - Paul Collingwood challenged his England side to raise their game still further after they beat New Zealand to set the seal on their qualification for the World Twenty20 semi-finals.
England's three-wicket win over the Black Caps at the Beausejour Stadium on Monday ensured they ended the Super Eight phase with a perfect played three, won three record.
"It was crucial you keep going and stay in winning ways," England captain Collingwood said.
"There are areas we can improve on but it was another solid performance."
Former Ireland batsman Eoin Morgan starred with 40 after England, chasing 150 for victory, had slumped to 66 for four in the absence of star batsman Kevin Pietersen, who was back home for the birth of his first child, a boy, which took place on Monday.
England's victory, which also featured a handy all-round contribution from man-of-the-match Tim Bresnan (one wicket for 20 runs and 23 not out) also eliminated New Zealand from the tournament.
Defending champions Pakistan went through to the semi-finals as Group E runners-up on superior run-rate.
Meanwhile Collingwood while pleased to eliminate New Zealand, wanted more from his side, who should be bolstered by Pietersen's return, in the last four.
"We lost a few wickets in the middle so we could do a little bit better there and the fielding wasn't up to our usual standard but I'm delighted with how we've gone and momentum is one of the crucial things you can have in the finals," he said.
"We've got a bunch of guys who talk a lot about things off the pitch, do a lot of planning and they executed the plans well today (Monday)."
Collingwood added: "We've beaten a side who usually do well in these competitions, we've eliminated a very good side."
New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori blamed the team's defeat on a score of 149 for six, which he said was symptomatic of their failure to make big enough totals throughout the tournament.
"We could have bowled better, we needed to take wickets in clumps and we probably took them a little too late, but in all forms of the game batting has probably been our problem - not putting enough runs on the board," he said.
"One hundred and fifty was a competitive total but maybe 20 below par and we couldn't put pressure on them.
"We have some talented batsmen but there were not enough runs today."
England have never won a major limited overs international tournament but Vettori said the present side could change all that at this event.
"Any team with momentum has a very good chance and they've won three very good games now so they'll be a very tough team to play in the semis."
