ST. JOHN'S, Antigua (AP) _ England seems able to fit in a batting collapse almost anywhere in its innings at this World Cup.

The middle order faltered against Sri Lanka last time out and, in Sunday's Super 8s match, the team slumped from 230-5 to 247 runs all out despite Kevin Pietersen scoring 104 for his team's first century in six tournament matches.

The latest, and possibly most dispiriting, collapse so far left captain Michael Vaughan with a familiar feeling.

``After the Sri Lanka game, we went to bed at night thinking we should have won that game,'' Vaughan said. ``I'll go back to the hotel tonight knowing we were in a great position to put Australia under a huge amount of pressure.''

Sunday's loss didn't immediately end England's chances of reaching the semifinals. But it meant it must now beat Bangladesh, South Africa and tournament host West Indies.

It also needs other results to go its way if it is to finish in the top four and advance.

Vaughan, despite scoring just five himself, was in no doubt where the blame laid for England's disappointing total against a team now looks even more like champions.

``We didn't have enough players around (Pietersen) to support him and provide the odd cameo toward the end,'' Vaughan said. ``One of our strengths over our last few games is that the last 10 overs we've been able to hit 70, 80 runs quite easily.''

``Today, we just lost wickets at key periods and put Kevin under a lot of pressure.''

Against Sri Lanka, England did manage a late rally with an 87-run seventh-wicket stand between Ravi Bopara and Paul Nixon before losing by two runs on the last ball.

With only Pietersen, Ian Bell (77) and Bopara (21) passing double figures on Sunday, there was no such charge against the Australians and Vaughan has now scored a total 12 runs in his past four innings.

``Keeping England down to that score was a very good effort by the whole bowling group,'' said Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who scored 86.

England's bowlers against started brightly and could have had Australia struggling in reply.

Openers Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist each survived what looked like fair appeals for leg before wicket in the first two overs and Australia sped to 57-0 before losing its first wicket.

Ponting and Michael Clarke (55 not out) then shared a 112-run partnership for the third wicket to help ease Australia to 248-3 with 16 balls remaining.

``On 247, you still have a chance but you need the rub of the green and need to get their key players out early,'' Vaughan said. ``When Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke get in, it's very difficult to restrict them on that kind of pitch.''