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Paul Collingwood is set to play his 100th One-day International (ODI) for England, against Pakistan, at Edgbaston on Sunday having feared he lacked the ability to be an international player.

The 30-year-old Durham medium-pace all-rounder is on course to become only the 11th England player to record a century of ODI appearances for his country, joining such names as Ian Botham, Graham Gooch and David Gower.

But a lengthy career at international level looked a long way-off when Collingwood made his England debut five years ago in the home NatWest Series against Australia and Pakistan. In four appearances during that series Collingwood made a mere 20 runs and conceded 49 in only 7.1 overs as England went on a record-breaking run of 11 successive defeats. “It took me a hell of a long time to get used to international cricket,” Collingwood said. “At the end of that first series I had a realisation that I probably wasn’t good enough and it was a massive dent of confidence to believe that.”

But England coach Duncan Fletcher never lost faith and last year Collingwood became only the second player, after West Indies great Viv Richards, to score a century and take five or more wickets in the same ODI when he struck 112 not out and claimed six for 31 against Bangladesh. He also hit the winning runs in England’s ICC Trophy semifinal victory against Australia at Edgbaston in 2004 — their first against the world champions in 13 matches.

Source:The News

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