The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Rising to the occasion

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 03, 2006

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Sport - Cricket

Rising to the occasion

Sports Reporter

Nagpur: For Paul Collingwood, it was a moment to savour. His maiden Test century came when his team needed it the most. "It was a great relief for everybody and I've waited a long time," he said after the second day's play. He picked his performance in Pakistan late last year as the turning point of his career. "I got over a little hurdle in Pakistan making those runs in Lahore."

Collingwood was involved in crucial partnerships with the tail that helped England to 393 after being on 244 for seven at one stage. "I've been in similar situations in Durham with Harmy, so it's not new to me. He played a few strokes and took the pressure off me. The way Harmy, Monty and Hoggard applied themselves was terrific to be honest."

He hoped the century would give him a regular Test spot. "I've always been pigeon-holed as a one-day player, it's in people's minds really. It's up to me to score runs and change that."

Collingwood's effort also drew praise from V.V.S. Laxman, who handled the Indian press conference after the management decided to let Jaffer "take things easy." Laxman said Collingwood deserved "full credit" for the way he batted. "To play for the first time in India and get a hundred was very good," said Laxman. "It would have been nice to get them out for 300, but they played well."

Collingwood said missing the two practice matches had curiously allowed him to stay mentally fresh for the Test. He also said he hadn't thought of getting a century. When he got there, he said he "felt a bit of emotion."

`Great effort'

Jaffer, with an unbeaten 73, was India's star of the day. "There's always pressure on anyone making a comeback," said Laxman. "He's done well in domestic cricket and I feel really pleased for him. I hope he continues his hard work tomorrow. It's been a great effort so far."

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