England stroll past pedestrian total in Port Elizabeth

Alec Stewart played a captain's innings to marshall his troops after England had a small taste of trouble in their opening World Cup lead-up match in Motherwell. Stewart added 104 runs for the fourth wicket with Paul Collingwood (78) to rescue England from the treacherous waters of 31 for three after Eastern Province had set them 174. They reached the target with ten overs to spare to win by five wickets.

Nantie Hayward, Worcestershire's new overseas signing, dismissed both England's openers in his first two overs. He first drew Nick Knight into a loose drive to extra cover, and temporary opener Craig White then lost his off-stump as England slipped to nine for two.

Michael Vaughan responded aggressively, with two trademark cover boundaries and a pulled six off Brent Kops. Stewart then struck Hayward for three consecutive fours before Vaughan was caught at cover point off Johan Botha's first ball.

Stewart and Collingwood then settled down to forge what proved to be the decisive partnership of the match. Stewart was content to play a secondary role while Collingwood made the latest in a string of telling scores to propel England towards victory.

By the time he was dismissed, giving Hayward the charge in the 31st over, just 39 more were needed. A breezy run-a-ball 16 from Andrew Flintoff kept the wind in English sails, and although Flintoff went before the close, Stewart finished it with an on-driven boundary at the end of the 40th over.

The first surprise of the day came when White, who was ruled out of this game yesterday, was included in the England side. Sent in to field, the tourists were indebted to Andrew Caddick for keeping Eastern Province in check in the early stages.

Caddick drew useful bounce to secure two quick wickets, first Wade Wingfield who edged to Flintoff at first slip. James Bryant followed when Caddick nipped one back off the seam and Stewart took the catch behind the wicket.

Matthew Hoggard, who was carrying an injury to the little finger of his right hand, induced an edge from Carl Bradfield, and full-length delivery from Flintoff gave Stewart another catch off Dave Callaghan.

Flintoff produced a dazzling swoop to give England their next breakthrough, as he was driven by Bruce Frederichs. The Lancastrian swivelled and threw down the stumps with the batsman unable to regain his ground.

White managed four overs for nine runs in the middle of the innings, and although he left the field afterwards it was merely a precaution.

After a horrendous mix-up led to the run-out of Justin Kemp, Dumisa Makalima pulled Flintoff to mid-wicket. But Johan Botha then produced some strong hitting to take the hosts past three figures.

Botha added 28 for the eighth wicket with Craig Thyssen, and an unbroken 50 - the highest partnership of the innings - for the last wicket with Brent Kops after Ashley Giles bowled Thyssen round his legs and Nantie Hayward skied Ian Blackwell to deep mid-wicket.