The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Collingwood crucial to England's progress

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Sunday, Apr 01, 2007
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Collingwood crucial to England's progress

GEORGETOWN: Paul Collingwood may not grab the headlines like teammates Andrew Flintoff or Kevin Pietersen, but he's becoming a key player in England's World Cup campaign.

The all-rounder scored 90 to rescue his side from a tricky 89-3 in the Super Eight match against Ireland and he believes previous experience of conditions in the Caribbean helped him pace his innings.

"I played out here three years ago and we've found out since we've been out in the Caribbean that it takes a little bit of time to get in on these wickets," said Collingwood.

"You have to get yourself in and then later in the innings you can make up on the run-rate a little bit. That tends to be my rhythm and then I managed to clear the boundary a few times on Friday which helps.

"The pitches are slow so you have to give yourself a chance and take advantage later in the innings once you get set," said Collingwood who is enjoying his role in the England middle order.

"Ideally, you like to come in during the last overs and give it a nudge. But I bat at five and it's my job to be versatile."

Tough matches ahead

Friday's win has put England in fourth place in the Super Eight table but it still has five matches to play with Sri Lanka and Australia next up in Antigua on Wednesday and Sunday respectively.

"They will be very tough matches," said Collingwood.

"But we have been working hard and we hope that will count in those games."

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