Strauss: Collingwood will come good

Paul Collingwood
12 April 2012

Returning skipper Andrew Strauss is confident Paul Collingwood can put his barren run of form in Australia behind him during the upcoming one-day series.

Collingwood has been the notable exception on a tour when England's batsmen have otherwise made hay in the Australian sunshine. The 34-year-old managed only 83 runs in an Ashes series, while scores of 16 and six in this week's Twenty20 internationals left him with a tour average in international matches of just 13.12.

"He's been a bit out of touch in the Test matches, but it's a very different form of the game," Strauss said ahead of a seven-match series which starts in Melbourne on Sunday. "His record in one-day cricket over the last year has been very good."

He added: "He brings a lot to the side apart from his batting - but his batting is crucial to us.

"We're expecting him to come back strong. He's a strong character and resilient bloke.

"There have been plenty of incidences in the past where he has come back with a bang."

With England set to announce their World Cup squad on Wednesday it would be a major surprise if Collingwood's name was not amongst the list of 15 names.

But should he continue to struggle with the bat the veteran of 189 one-day internationals could find it difficult to keep his place ahead of the World Cup.

Competition for places in England's batting line-up is fierce at the moment with Kevin Pietersen looking to get back into the team after being dropped for the Pakistan series in the summer.

Ian Bell has strengthened his claims for a regular place following his impressive tour while Jonathan Trott can make similar claims.

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