England win to take series

Paul Collingwood's hosts coasted to a six-wicket win, while Pakistan provided more evidence that they are still unable to clear their minds for cricket after the 'spot-fixing' stresses of the past week.

Pakistan chose to bat first but, on a pitch which they also struggled on two days ago, and they stumbled to a hapless 89 all out - failing to come to terms with England's skill and tactical awareness. After two wickets had twice fallen in quick succession in England's reply, it was again Eoin Morgan and Michael Yardy who saw them home to wrap up the NatWest International Series 2-0 and equal a world-record run of victories in the shortest format.

As on Sunday, Pakistan got off to a flying start - for one over. Kamran Akmal, whose inclusion was notable following a newspaper report on Tuesday morning linking him to yet more investigations into 'spot-fixing', clubbed the first ball of the mis-match over cover for four off Ryan Sidebottom.

Another seven came from the over, but only 12 more runs in powerplay from the next five. In that time, Pakistan also lost four wickets - and it was already hard to see how they could possibly salvage a worthwhile total and therefore a passable spectacle for a hugely disappointing crowd of under 6,000 at a 15,000 capacity venue.

Tim Bresnan took three for 10, while Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom and Graeme Swann all took two wickets apiece.

When Shahid Afridi got only his fingertips to Steve Davies' aerial clip off his legs for four in Shoaib Akhtar's first over of England's reply - and Craig Kieswetter then hit Umar Gul for an in-out six over extra cover, early confirmation was provided that Pakistan's trip to Wales would bring them no solace from their off-field troubles

There was not even the small mercy of a quick kill either, because England had to reassess their chase when Davies chipped an easy catch to midwicket off Shoaib and Kieswetter was run out next ball thanks to a direct hit from cover by Umar Akmal.

There was nonetheless a yawning leeway - even after Collingwood was caught at slip off Saeed Ajmal and Ravi Bopara was lbw pulling Afridi - for Morgan and Yardy to do the necessary, with six overs to spare.