Collingwood eyes further glory

England captain Paul Collingwood is aiming for another record in an already memorable tour Down Under when his side meet Australia in the first Twenty20 international in Adelaide on Wednesday.

The Twenty20 world champions can claim a record eighth consecutive victory in the format when they resume their battle with an Australian side who will be led by new skipper Cameron White.

"We've won seven on the trot and will set a new record if we make it eight," said Collingwood.

England's run began during their successful World Twenty20 campaign in the Caribbean last May, when they beat Australia in the final by seven wickets.

And Collingwood revealed his side were intent on claiming the record mark and inflict yet more pain on their arch-rivals in the upcoming two-match series, which concludes in Melbourne.

He continued: "The guys are very focused and ambitious. It's not easy to win that many games on the trot in Twenty20. They are another two huge games for us leading into the Twenty20 World Cup and the guys are looking forward to it.

"Australia always want to beat England - and we always want to beat them. Whatever form of the game it is against Australia we are desperate to win.

"We've got the momentum and obviously don't want to let Australia back in."

Ian Bell could be set for a return to the Twenty20 squad following his unbeaten century in Monday's seven-wicket win over a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra. Bell has not played Twenty20 cricket for England in almost three years but is arguably in the best form of his career.

"He's in fantastic form, he has been since he arrived in Australia," Collingwood said. "That was a very clinical innings and he has staked his claim for a place in the Twenty20 side."