London, July 14:

Paul Collingwood’s Test-best 186 was the centrepiece of England’s innings as the hosts reached 495/7 at tea on the second day of the first Test against Pakistan at Lord’s on Friday.

Collingwood shared century stands with Alastair Cook (105) and Ian Bell (70 not out). Leg-spinner Danish Kaneria did his best to keep England in check with a spell of two wickets for no runs in seven balls.

At lunch, England were 426/4 with Collingwood 179 not out and Bell unbeaten on 43. But Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq then opted for containing bowling, saw his attack conceded just 15 runs coming off first 11 overs.

Kaneria then made the breakthrough when Collin-gwood lunged forward to a ball that turned past the outside edge and Kamran Akmal completed a sharp stumping. Collingwood faced 327 balls with 23 fours and, together with Bell, had put on 120 in 37 overs to take England to 441 for five. His innings was the best by an England batsman against Pakistan at Lord’s, surpassing Tom Graveney’s 153 in 1962.

England resumed on Friday on 309/3 with Cook 101 and Collingwood 109.

Both men had been given reprieves with Cook dropped three times (on nought, 45 and 81) while Collingwood had been put down on 79 on Thursday.