Cricket: Strauss applauds Vettori's sporting gesture

JOHANNESBURG - New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori said he opted to give England batsman Paul Collingwood a life "in the spirit of the game" as the Black Caps won by four wickets with 22.5 overs to spare in a Champions Trophy clash at the Wanderers this morning (NZT).

Underdogs in Group B, the Black Caps won two round robin matches to top the standings on net run rate and join England, who also won twice, in the semifinals.

And while New Zealand did well to reach the play-offs ahead of South Africa and Sri Lanka, much talk after the match revolved around Vettori's decision to call Collingwood back after he was run out in the 13th over.

Having left a Kyle Mills delivery, Collingwood strolled out of his crease and New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum threw down his stumps, with the third umpire giving him out.

But after pleading with Vettori, who later admitted "it was probably out under the laws of the game", Collingwood, who was on 14 and went on to make 40, was allowed to remain.

"I think it's one of those situations that we had a little bit of time to think about it with it going up to the third umpire," Vettori said.

"I deliberated with teammates and the umpires out there. In the end there was no intention of making a run from Paul, he just wandered out of his crease, and it was just a lot easier to call him back and get on with the game."

England captain Andrew Strauss, who last week called back Angelo Mathews in another sporting gesture at the Wanderers after the Sri Lankan had been adjudged run out, commended Vettori for the decision.

"I've got to applaud Daniel Vettori," said Strauss. "I think it was the right decision, but it was obviously a tough decision to make as a captain when your future in the tournament is on the line."

England disappointed against an impressive New Zealand attack and were bowled out for 146 after losing the toss and being sent in to bat.

Man-of-the-match Grant Elliott returning a career-best 4-31 to lead the Black Caps charge, ably assisted by Shane Bond, who regained his form after two poor outings to capture three wickets.

And while the Kiwi middle order crumbled, openers Martin Guptill (53 off 55) and McCullum (48 from 39) raced to an 84-run stand that ultimately took the game away from England.

Strauss admitted they had been defeated by a class outfit on a track not conducive to batting.

"We were soundly beaten today," he said. "The wicket obviously did a lot early on and as a batsman you needed some luck to survive. All credit to the New Zealand bowlers."

He also applauded Guptill and McCullum.

"They were able to score the bulk of the runs very quickly and by the time we were able to exert some pressure, it was too late," admitted Strauss.

England will face the Group A winners at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Friday with New Zealand meeting the runners-up one day later at the Wanderers.

- AFP