England Secure Narrow Victory

England's preparations for Saturday's $20m showdown with the Stanford Superstars began with a 12-run victory over Middlesex in Antigua.

Both teams found it difficult to score runs on a relatively slow surface and scoring could have been even lower but for a handful of missed catches - largely down to the floodlights at the Stanford Ground.

Collingwood observed: "They are different than any other set of lights we have played under. The ball hits you a lot harder than expected.

"If catches keep being dropped then it becomes a confidence thing but hopefully we'll get used to them."

England's openers shared 43 inside eight overs after opting to bat but the run rate stalled and it was left to Owais Shah, with an unbeaten 39 in 37 balls, to take them to a modest 121-4.

County Cricket champions Middlesex struggled early in their innings but a late blitz from young star Dawid Malan, who finished top scorer on 41, briefly threatened to cause an upset. However Ed Joyce's departure going for a six in the penultimate over left a near impossible target of 18 required from Andrew Flintoff's final over.

Flintoff was excellent with the ball as always and should have had a wicket with his first ball, Paul Collingwood fumbling a chance at point. Stuart Broad attacked well with 1-13 from four overs and looks set to keep his place in the team if England bring back Steve Harmison, who sat this match out through illness, for the match against Trinidad & Tobago.

England captain Kevin Pietersen will be aware that the team has a lot to do ahead of the grand finale against the Superstars despite this victory

"Getting a win under your belt is always important" he said.  "We have a week to go (before the $20m match), we know the areas we need to work on - catching is one big area."

"It's a big fixture we have got on Saturday, so there won't be too much time for feet up."

England line up against Trinidad & Tobago at 2130GMT on Tuesday 28th October in their final warm-up match.