ENGLAND captain Paul Coll-ingwood hailed Worcestershire's Vikram Solanki after his role as a makeshift wicketkeeper in the five-run defeat to New Zealand.

The County skipper proved to be an able deputy for Matt Prior, who was ruled out after breaking his thumb, and also made 24 runs in an enterprising opening stand of 62 with Darren Maddy.

The Royals star held two catches and didn't concede a bye and Collingwood admitted Solanki's polished performance had taken him by surprise.

"Vikram was brilliant to be honest - when I saw him practising on Monday night the first ball hit the tips of his fingers and I thought it would be a big risk," Collingwood said.

"But in fact he was fantastic and looked a natural. I know he used to keep a lot when he was young and he's had one innings during a four-day game this year for Worcester but that's not a lot in an international match.

"He deserves a lot of credit for putting his hand up to do it and he didn't let anyone down.

"He got our innings off to a great start with Darren but we couldn't build on that."

But England only have themselves to blame as they stare at an early exit - yet again they had the ascendancy more than once but failed to make the most of it.

New Zealand were 31-4 and despite Craig McMillan's 57 off 31 balls getting them up to 164-9 it should not have been enough.

England then raced to 62 without loss but when Solanki and Maddy departed, England's middle order fell apart.

Kevin Pietersen, Luke Wright and Owais Shah all got to 20 but that was not enough.

But Collingwood has refused to give up on a last four place. England must hammer India today and hope South Africa lose to New Zealand and India.

"We've got to produce a good performance against India," said Collingwood.