Paul Collingwood bids adieu to Test cricket
England batsman Paul Collingwood announced his retirement from Test cricket before the start of play on the fourth day of the final Ashes Test on Thursday.
Collingwood pulled down the curtain on his Test career as he told his teammates about the decision at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He announced that the ongoing fifth and last Ashes Test match at Sydney will be his last.
With the Ashes trophy securely tugged under England’s belt, Collingwood took the difficult decision due to his indifferent form in Test cricket in the last six months.
The 34-year-old announced that he will continue to play the limited overs format of the game. He also captained a successful side that won England’s first-ever international trophy- the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 Cup.
The http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 at Galle in 2003. He played 68 Tests for England and scored 4,259 runs at an average of 40.56. He has scored ten centuries in Test cricket, his highest being against Australia at Adelaide Oval when
he scored 206 in 2006.
“Representing England at Test level has always been a dream of mine,” Collingwood read in a statement.
“I also feel now is the time to ensure some of the younger players are given an opportunity at Test level as we have a wealth of talent pushing for places in the England Test team,” he said.
Collingwood, who was a part of the team that slumped to a 5-0 whitewash in 2006 against Australia and the team that won the Ashes in 2005, said that retaining the urn on Australian soil has been the most satisfying experience.
He admitted that his poor performance with the bat in the 2010-11 Ashes series made him think that it was the right time to leave Test cricket after achieving some great milestones in his career.
Collingwood admitted recently that if he did not find his form in the current season, his Test days might be drawing to a close.
Although he could not score many runs for the visitors in the on-going Ashes, yet he contributed with his fielding by taking some brilliant catches.
He also bowled Mike Hussey in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746’s first innings at the SCG that might have been his last ball in Test cricket.
The Managing Director of England Cricket, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hugh-Morris-c63550 paid tribute to Collingwood’s outstanding contribution to the England Test team.
“His performance have been admired and recognised by his teammates and England supporters,” adding that he was happy with the fact that Collingwood will be contributing to the One Day and Twenty20 teams.
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