AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP):

Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood scored half-centuries as England beat New Zealand by six wickets with three overs to spare in the rain-affected third limited-overs cricket match, yesterday.

The win, achieved under the Duckworth-Lewis system, kept alive a five-match series which New Zealand now lead 2-1.

Bell made 83 in a partnership of 107 with Kevin Pietersen (41) and Collingwood blasted an unbeaten 70 from 50 balls to steer England home comfortably.

Earlier, Collingwood took three wickets, claimed a catch, set intelligent fields and expertly managed his bowlers, as England, after winning the toss, restricted New Zealand to 234-9 in 50 overs.

England were 23-1 in reply when rain swept over Eden Park, reducing its innings to 47 overs and its winning target, under the Duckworth-Lewis system, to 229.

They were 31-2 when the previously out-of-form Bell and Pietersen combined in their century stand for the third wicket, which guided England towards victory. Both were out to contentious lbw decisions but Collingwood hit six fours and three sixes and put on 80 in an unbroken stand with Owais Shah (18 not out) to see England home.