A Colly Tribute

It was no surprise to hear the news about Paul Collingwood's retirement from Test cricket following the Sydney test - the timing was a bit odd but as always with Colly, a selfless act to do the announcement now before the celebrations begin when the Ashes victory is cemented and he slides into the background.

Collingwood will be remembered as a player who enhanced the little ability he had but thanks to a great work ethic and utter determination, he retires with over 4000 test runs an average above 40 (always the benchmark), 17 test wickets (fittingly, his last may be Mike Hussey's on Tuesday which stopped Australia posting a bigger total) and 96 catches - most of which can be seen online.

Colly made his debut in December 2003, his first century came in March 2006 in Nagpur on the Ring of Fire tour under Freddie Flintoff's captaincy - this is indicative of his career.  Over two years for a test batsmen to get his maiden century, so often Colly had his back against the wall and came up with the goods.  From becoming a bits and pieces player to a player who was mocked for being awarded an MBE for one test appearance to a man respected for his heart and resilience - his 206 at Adelaide was the highlight of the 5-0 whitewash in 2006, as Shane Warne sledged him, Colly let his bat do the talking.

However, his most valuable innings where when he didnt reach three figures - his 74 & 64 in Cardiff in July 2009, that helped draw the first test match and maintain a momentum for England before the Lords test where they became rampant and took a 1-0 lead in that victorious series.  Following the Ashes victory, England went to S.Africa where his battling rearguard in two tests helped draw two tests that without him England would have lost the series 3-1, instead of drawing 1-1, most notably a five hour vigil for just 40; selfless batting for the cause not the individual.

A man you would always want in your corner, for a number of years one of the first names on the teamsheet because of the vibrancy he would bring to the fielding, his leadership (which ultimately led to him gaining the T20 captaincy and World Cup triumph) and a man who looked like he knew how to laugh and lend bonhomie next to Kevin Pietersen's egotism.  In past years, he would be a soldier, a Lieutenant who would fight to the death; in another life, a film might have been made with Pete Postelthwaite playing him (okay, they don't look alike - but Mr.Postelthwaite was also a man who made the most of his chances).

Lessons to be learnt from Colly's career are that it takes time to make a test career, knee-jerkism can lead to regrets and Australia should persist with Steve Smith whose vigour and belief in himself is somewhat reminscient of the ginger nugget - Smith is a bits and pieces player, but give him time and he can only dream of hitting 4000 test runs.

Paul Collingwood was a man who did more than he should, but we are sure glad he was around - and this is not the end, his slow off cutters and pace off the ball will be invaluable on the sub-continent for the World Cup finals, where an in form England may well be the dark horse that no one will now underestimate.  A failure on some people's part in relation to the career of Paul Collingwood - never judge the book by its cover.