Why do they need a blocker in the team when they can play a genuine stroke maker who can block when the situation demands?? i am sure the poms have some.. dont they??

Couldn't have put it better myself. The Cardiff innings followed by two in SA show Collingwood for what he is, the ultimate team man who will whatever is needed to maximise the team position. When he needs to be agressive he has the shot, when he needs to block he can remove any hint of a backlift. Let's also not forget he statiscally has the best alround performance ever in an ODI with a century and 6 wickets in a match against Bangladesh.

I read your articles regularly Mike, but being that this one is about Paul Collingwood, it was inevitable I started sleeping after the second paragraph.

I don't think Collingwood is overrated, I think most of the criticism he gets is justified. Fantastic one day player but, in my view, utterly unable to read the changing moods of the Test game and react accordingly.

Adelaide was both his high point and the reason why he shouldn't be play in the test side. His inability to react to the carnage around him in the second innings and grasp the importance of scoring some runs - 22 not out in 119 balls when probably 20 or so more runs would have put England out of reach - didn't just cost that match but crushed England's spirit and led to the ultimate humiliation.

We certainly could have done with a player like him in the side in the 80s and 90s but I don't think there should be a place for him in the 21st century England team.

I agree with your article fully. Its not how flashy a batsman is... Its how effective he is that matters. And whenever I see Collingwood in, there is always the confidence that he is going to fight for his wicket. On the other hand someone like KP inspires no confidence in me whatsoever. I would rather have 2 Collingwood's in my side than 1 KP..

Collingwood is a very underated player, the fact that people feel the need to take the mickey so much confirms this, if he was a total duffer no one would care about him. You cant have a team full of wannabe Viv Richards' or you'd end up with a team like the one with which Pakistan recently tried to tour England which couldn't see out a day at the crease. Plus, how much do people have a go out Pietersen for getting out selfishly blazing away, you cant have it both ways. There is no player in the world, not Rahul Dravid or Mike Hussey, who I would rather have at the crease to bat out a day to save a test. No one. Collingwood has done enough to earn respect, if he was from anywhere else but England this article would never have been written but seen as everyone likes to take pop at us, however unfounded it is, I suppose he'll just have to take it, as he always has done, with a smile.

noobcom - are you an Aussie by any chance?

Every team needs a balance; the problem with having too many superstars is that you can have ego problems when 2 are at the wicket together - not a big issue if you're winning, but potentially fatal if you're trying to bat out the day to save a test.

PDC is never going to set the world alight, but in a team with Pietersen, Trott, Morgan and Prior, all of whom are stroke-players, he adds useful balance and genuine grit when batting with the lower order.

Hey you failed to mention his monumentous effort in the test series against Pakistan and India during 2005-06 season. He was by far the most reliable batsman at that time.

[Mike: I failed to mention quite a lot of things because I wanted to keep the piece to a manageable length! But anyway, cataloguing all his good performances would not have materially added to the argument. Those innings in 2005-6 were each a few coins added to his account: in a sense Colly's handicap in terms of credit has been that though the pile of coins grew steadily, it was still pretty slowly, and it wasn't until the last 12-18 months that it had got big enough for everyone to be able to see it - at least if they bothered to look. And this piece was intended to point that out for those who haven't been paying close attention.]

Most teams do need a tenacious blocker not just to hold an end up but also to see off some ferocious spells to ensure that the rest of the batsmen get to face tired or less threatening bowlers. I remember Colly's face-off with Steyn on the last day at centurion. He survived with luck but neverthless he had seen off Steyn. I think that was a crucial moment in that match. A wicket there and Steyn would have possibly run through England.

This is the reason despite the fall in his average, i think India has benefitted from Dravid at No.3. He still manages to stay there for 10-15 overs on an average, see off the main bowlers as well as build some little partnership.

There may be players more 'talented' than Collingwood, but how many players are more 'dependable' than him? In my opinion that is the strength of batsmen like Colligwood. When they are in the middle you know they can soak up the pressure when there are 10 fielders hounding you. The odds that Collingwood may play a match-winning innings is say, 50-1, but the odds that he will let the team down in a tough situation will be more around 5-4. I will prefer Collingwood any day over more talented but inconsistent players like Yuvraj Singh.

Sachin Tendulkar is a great not just because of his talent or the sheer class his batting oozes. His biggest achievement is translating the "child prodigy" into a "talented batsman" and sustain it through his performances in different situations/ playing conditions and demands of Test Cricket for 21 years. Collingwood would never be a purists delight. But the fact that he understands his limitations, adapts and is ready to scratch four singles than drive an exquisite four deserves its own space. Add to the mix his medium pace, and fielding - he IS a handy test player. Longevity, consistency and mental strength are not traits he lacks. While he might not be the "master" of the game, but he is a very good "student" .. and he has earned that respect!

Great article and truly does describe what Colly is all about. He's a team player who will fight for his team and die for his team.

Remember when Collingwood went face to face with Hayden after an issue with Hayden and Jones a few years back and Hayden is twice his size! Collingwood is a tough competitor and someone you want on your side. There are for sure more naturally talented players out there, and Colly would probably agree with that, but Colly plays the tough gritty role better than anyone else out there.

there are some comments comparing the king with current pakistan batsman . ask beefy he will let you know. king can attack or block on him own terms not on bowlers terms . he is very sucessfull in it.

there is no english batsman (no indian batsman either sorry sewag) ever took the bat with courage of the king let alone coly.

Sorry, I'm going against the grain here. His Test record since Cardiff has been absolutely shocking, and if anything he isn't scrutinised or criticised enough. He received way too much credit for his efforts in SA, especially Cape Town, where Bell's innings was far more important (Bell was last out, not Collingwood). In this period, his only hundred has come against Bangladesh, and he's averaged under 18 at home. Yes, 18. Yet it's Cook and even Pietersen that people discuss dropping. His average in his last four Tests against Australia was 16, with almost half his runs coming in one of the seven innings he played against them after Cardiff. I'd pick him purely for his experience in Australia and his success batting with Pietersen last time, but he would unquestionably be first for the chop if things were to go badly.

[Mike: Thanks for the voice of dissent. It was at Centurion that he batted out time, though - 26 off 99 balls - and it did save the game. The 91 at Durban wasn't too shabby either. I don't think he had a bad tour of SA, though I'd agree that it was not an outstanding one.

I'd also agree that he was dreadful against Pakistan, but I suppose the point of my piece is that he has built up quite enough credit for that to be forgivable - for the moment, anyway, given that Morgan and Bell both want to play and there's only room for one of them for now.]

Ian Bell playing a "pyrotechnic solo"? Now I've heard everything. More seriously, Colly is an admirable player and a throwback to a different era. Dogged, unspectacular (except for those unreal catches) but a total team-man from what I can see. England has not done the right thing by such players in the past (remember David Steele anyone?) so its good they've seen beyond the flash and kept Colly in the team.

The Collingwood-stereotype is not very similar to the plight of Rahul Dravid and Shivnarine Chanderpaul throughout their careers. I think the stereotype mirrors the attitude of sports reporters, more than the cricketers themselves. Journalists, especially in the past five years, obsess over strike rates rather than writing on the range of batsmanship. Little wonder, fans grow impatient with Collingwood. Fact is: every team needs an anchor at one end for strokemakers to focus on shot-making. A Steve Waugh was the rock around whom his twin brother, Dean Jones, Damien Martyn and Adam Gilchrist flourished. Same with Dravid and his peers. For a Morgan or Pietersen to play their natural game, the other end needs to be stable. That is the value of the multi-skilled Collingwood. Chappelli marvelled at Colly's shotmaking in Adelaide 2006, opining that he needs to express himself as a batsman like at the Oval. But no other English bat can alter their style like him.

for some reasons, he might be an under achiever as far as the test scene is concerned. but its very interesting to watch him at one dayers. such a fantastic sportsman, good reflexes at 34, he seems to have been enjoying the field. paul collingwood is always a pleasing sight.

I like Collingwood cos' just like S.Waugh the great one, he has a never say die spirit.

His 20s and 30s made over 4-5 hours are more value for money than a flashy 50 in 1 hour

Those who say that Cricket is boring because of people like Collingwood should realize that the beauty of cricket is that it gives equal opportunities to a dasher and a grappler.

An fair assessment. He is somewhat of Larry Gomes in Tests, but much more talented that manifested in the ODIs and T20s. An outstanding fielder in the gully-point region. England should be hoping to see him get back to form for the upcoming series in Australia

I've always admired Colly for who he is. Unflashy team man who plays his heart out for the good of the collective, and not for himself. When everyone else is crapping out, he's there to pick up the pieces and fight until he's bruised and bloodied. When it's time for the roses to be handed out, he keeps himself at the back of the line.

There is no one quite like him, and England has seen the value of this and have learned the lesson of throwing him out with the bathwater (The name Darren Pattinson can NEVER substitute for Paul Collingwood...you know what I mean). Other Test teams can only look on with envy; England can count their lucky stars that PDC was born English. Heck, if he was an ice hockey player, he would be the highest paid fourth-line player on any team.

So to all you Poms out there...QUIT TAKING THE PISS AT COLLY! Without him, the Ashes urn would be waiting for you in Australia, not the other way around.

I have always rated Collingwood as ne of the greatest batsman and a great match Saviour and turner. He is part of all three formats of game which even "God" Tendulkar does not do. Since he is a busy player who does not come in lime light easily so he is not remembered as much as he should be. Look at his captaincy in T20 2010. Does anyone need more elaboration for Colly who is a great all rounder and leader for England.

Part of the reason why comments like the one you mentioned come by is because of media men too.David Lyold said something in the lines of "When colly bats in a lane,people shut the windows".ITs an example of exaggerating a normal thing to evoke cheap laughs and fans duly mimic their commentators.As you pointed out,it takes immense mental toughness to make a career in tests when you are repeatedly criticised and made fun of regardless of what is achieved in the ground.He has made a double against a full strength aussie side,did excellently in south africa,made a resolute century in india when he was about to be dropped.The only criticism i would lay on him is that he has been inconsistent.He is talented in his own way too.Having a strike rate of 120 odd in T20s is not easy.

funny how people label collingwood to be a slow poke as if he is incapable of any stroke play.Barring KP,his strike rate is similar to others.colly and trott have a SR of 47,cook ,bell and strauss have SR of 50,so wheres the point of collingwood being drastically slow?.BEsides none of the other men are capable fo adapting to all 3 formats as collingwood.Just because you play elegant shots doesnt mean you are aggressive.

Collingwood is a worthy fighter at the crease, who has made a number of telling contributions in all formats of the game for England. He, more than most, gives the strong impression of maximising the results from his talent. I do believe, however, that his minimalist style has benefitted from this era. Firstly, the pitches are on the whole slower and truer than those in the 90's and as such Collingwood's low-risk bunting style can be profitable. I would have enjoyed seeing him face Walsh and Ambrose on a lively pitch, facing a barrage of chest high testers - sadly batsmen are seldom tested in this fashion! The limited evidence we've seen suggests Collingwood does not play sustained, accurate short bowling particularly well. Secondly, advances in bat technology compliment his minimalism, gaining greater run reward with nudges than in previous eras. Collingwood uses a colossal chunk of wood doesn't he? Wish the ICC would enforce minimum levels of pressing to establish who the timers are.

I totally agree with Surya, just bcoz someone has elegant shots, it doesnt mean that they necessarily have a higher strike rate. For example, it is only now that I've realised how quickly Hashim Amla scores. I think Collingwood is one of those batsman that have a stereotype painted on them without much evidence. I for one know that I always feel as if he could hit a SIX whenever he wanted to. His adaptability and resilience are his main virtues. No sane selector would leave him out, but then again, we are talking about the English selectors.

@Mike: I know Collingwood's best recent series was against SA, and it's hard to argue that he doesn't deserve his place becasue of his efforts on that tour. At Durban he made a contribution to a massive win and fair enough. I am less convinced by the argument that he saved the game at Centurion, and the glowing press he received for that irritated me as much as the near-ignoring of Bell's effort at Cape Town. (and believe me, I was no fan of Bell before the SA tour). Unlike Cardiff, England were not up against it at Centurion until Trott's dismissal triggered a mini-collapse on the final afternoon. Therefore I don't think his innings at Centurion stands any reasonable comparison with his Cardiff knock. After Cardiff he received deserved plaudits for scoring 75 and batting out most of the day. If KP scored 81 and Trott 69 at Centurion, why should Collingwood be lauded for 26*...?

[Mike: Because unlike them, he didn't get out? While I'd agree that it isn't one of the great epic match-saving innings of history, I think it is another notch in Collingwood's stick - and it's the number of such notches which go in his credit bank.

I see where you're coming from in the disproportionate credit bit. I suspect Bell wasn't as highly praised as he might have been at the time because people were very wary: as you partially imply, how many times before had people acclaimed a Bell innings as having properly established him in the team only for him to spend the next three matches getting himself out stupidly? Several times bitten, extremely shy, I imagine.]

Paul is definitely a gritty player ala Gavaskar, though definitely not at his level. With Test cricket being played at a much quicker pace now than in the 80s and even 90s, a stroke player would be more beneficial to England than his stoic ways.

The natural English equivalent of S.Waugh. It's not always the amount that counts, but when and how. His 200 in Adelaide was underrated. He is not always that ugly a player anyway or as slow scoring as some like to believe.I think he was unlucky to get the MBE because he always had to live it down as he only played a bit part in the last Test. Happily the England lineup contains different styles. I'd watch another 200 from him.

[Mike: I'm not sure that I really want to watch another 200 from him - and given the hours of play in the Ashes, I could happily go to bed and miss most of it so I may not have to. I think I've had about enough of him once he's reached 120, whereas I could happily watch Bell or KP making 350. Even at its best, Colly's batting is much more functional than thrilling. But I very much agree that it's wrong to pigeonhole him as a slowcoach: it would be nice to see what happens if he's in when England get on top, as they surely will in at least one Test.]

The natural English equivalent of S.Waugh. It's not always the amount that counts, but when and how. His 200 in Adelaide was underrated. He is not always that ugly a player anyway or as slow scoring as some like to believe.I think he was unlucky to get the MBE because he always had to live it down as he only played a bit part in the last Test. Happily the England lineup contains different styles. I'd watch another 200 from him.

I am totally agree with mike.Paully has been the saviour of England team for long long time.he might not be the most attractive but very effective and saved so many test matches where England was sure of loosing those matches.He has been the most consistent in this English team in all three forms of the game and 1 thing i would like to mention that he has been the greatest of fielders of all time and took lot of blinders which turn the matches in england favour.He is going to be the key member for England for the Ashes and i m sure Once again this underrated player would come up with flying colors and help England to retain the Ashes