England on top in Trinidad

Paul Collingwood hit his ninth Test hundred to help England regain control of the must-win series finale at Queen's Park Oval.

Collingwood reached the landmark in the final over before lunch on the second day, which the tourists reached on 372 for four, with England thankful in no small part to Matt Prior's counter-attack.

Two wickets in consecutive overs early this morning, including that of centurion Andrew Strauss, undermined England's overnight position. But wicketkeeper Prior, recalled after leaving the tour temporarily for paternity leave, raced to a half-century from just 52 deliveries and dominated the initial part of an ongoing three-figure stand with Collingwood.

Captain Strauss was among the two quick batsmen to fall on a calamitous resumption for England.

Strauss added only three to his overnight score and Owais Shah, returning to the crease after cramp forced him to retire hurt on the first afternoon, also departed, both to errors of judgement.

Strauss fell for 142 when he shuffled to the off side attempting a glance off his pads and lost his leg stump to Fidel Edwards.

Then Shah, who settled back in by straight-driving his second ball for four off Lionel Baker, perished attempting a quick single from the next delivery.

He called after nudging off his hip to midwicket and was left short of his ground at the non-striker's end as substitute Dwayne Bravo, on for the injured Shivnarine Chanderpaul, swivelled and produced a direct hit.