Collingwood keen to keep momentum

Paul Collingwood has urged his new England line-up to use their stunning opening NatWest Series performance as a benchmark for the future.

England's new one-day captain was delighted with his side's brilliant 104-run triumph over India under the lights at the Rose Bowl after centuries from Alastair Cook and Ian Bell helped them reach a commanding 288 for two before dismissing the tourists for 184.

"I think we've put those kind of performances in during the past and I want to get some consistency now and that's the crucial thing," stressed Collingwood. "We've played some great cricket in the past and had great passages of play, but this was a perfect game and we need to do that again and again."

He added: "We're 1-0 up but we have another six games left and there is no series won or anything. It's a great start for us but we want to continue with that rhythm, that momentum and feel what it's like when you get into those situations and hopefully take that into the next game."

England's major total was built around Cook's 102 and man-of-the-match Bell's unbeaten 126 off 118 balls, which ended a wait of 48 one-day internationals to claim his first century in this format of cricket.

"It has taken time but it was nice to go out and go all the way through," enthused Warwickshire batsman Bell, who hit a six and 10 fours in his innings and shared a 178-run stand off 185 balls with Cook.

"We talked about one of us from the top order being there at the end. For me and Cook to get hundreds on the same day was very nice, but to be there at the end was very satisfying."