Collingwood retires from test cricket

[Tom 1972]

I'm not going to put him in the Steve Waugh bracket, but there were some similarities insofar as Collingwood knew his limitations and batted accordingly and like Waugh, was tough as nails and pretty good in a ruck.

As an aside, he was a wonderful fielder/catcher behind the wicket.

[BoyBrumby]

England - with a long term view - would've liked to have seen Bopara be the first man in line, to help out with a bit of fifth bowling duties.

Do you think we'll see the ball being thrown to Trott, or Bell, first?

James Taylor bowls a bit of leg-spin. Just saying...

Actually, the best bowler of the options to come in at #6 is that Notts trencherman Sammy Patel, but he's a way back in the queue now. Even leaving aside his weight/fitness probs he's had two ordinary seasons on the bounce now.

[Prince EWS]

James Taylor bowls a bit of leg-spin. Just saying...

Actually, the best bowler of the options to come in at #6 is that Notts trencherman Sammy Patel, but he's a way back in the queue now. Even leaving aside his weight/fitness probs he's had two ordinary seasons on the bounce now.

I think the days where he'd balance the side particularly well are gone now, anyway. Yeah, he'd offer a fifth bowling option if he batted six, but when England had Flintoff, were carrying Panesar and were struggling to find a player who could keep to a decent standard and bat in the top seven, I really favoured:

6 Patel
7 Flintoff
8 Foster/Read
9 -11 quicks, or Monty if conditions really suited

The emergence of Swann and Prior and the retirement of Flintoff makes him a much less attractive option now, not to mention the fact that, as you said, he hasn't scored any runs in two years.

[vcs]

I think the days where he'd balance the side particularly well are gone now, anyway. Yeah, he'd offer a fifth bowling option if he batted six, but when England had Flintoff, were carrying Panesar and were struggling to find a player who could keep to a decent standard and bat in the top seven, I really favoured:

6 Patel
7 Flintoff
8 Foster/Read
9 -11 quicks, or Monty if conditions really suited

The emergence of Swann and Prior and the retirement of Flintoff makes him a much less attractive option now, not to mention the fact that, as you said, he hasn't scored any runs in two years.

He'd certainly balance the team coach on sharp turns, TBH.

[Howe_zat]

He'd certainly balance the team coach on sharp turns, TBH.

Yeah, but the plane coming over would be a nightmare. He'd have to sit in the aisle.