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Paul Collingwood’s recent performances suggest he could be England’s key all-rounder at the World Cup.

That’s some achievement considering he’ll be in the same team as Andrew Flintoff.

While Flintoff was starring in England’s 2005 Ashes win over Australia, Collingwood played only a minor role in the triumph before a raft of injuries resulted in him becoming a Test regular.

Since then, he scored two of England’s four highest scores in its disastrous Ashes defence - including a double hundred in the second Test - and his two one-day hundreds led England to an unlikely win last month in a tri-nations series against Australia and New Zealand.

With crucial wickets and sharp fielding, he overcame a poor spell in the middle of England’s three-month tour of Australia to establish himself as a potential match-winner at the March 13-April 28 tournament.

“He could be the player of the World Cup,” former Australia bowler Shane Warne said. “He will go to the Caribbean full of confidence and because of his versatility will always be in games,” he added.

Although Flintoff is a quicker bowler and more destructive batsman, Collingwood is adept at building an innings running between the wickets, and his right-arm medium pace can trouble batsmen with its occasional swing. He is also recognised as one of the best fielders in cricket.

Collingwood’s runs will be crucial to England’s chances in the Caribbean, not least because he has already been part of a side that has beaten New Zealand - one of England’s first-round opponents.

With New Zealand having routed Australia 3-0 in February’s series that followed the tri-nations tournament - and on grounds of a similar size to those in the Caribbean - any psychological advantage will be welcomed.

Source:The News