Paul Collingwood confident about hitting form again
England batsman Paul Collingwood is hopeful of returning to form after adding a brisk 27 in the fourth One Day International against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 on Wednesday.
“I am the first to admit that I haven’t been in great form,” he conceded in Brisbane after he arrived with his team for the fifth ODI on Sunday.
“I am trying every possible way to get back into good nick,” he added after saying that his confidence is slowly coming back after playing a role in Wednesday’s game.
England won the fourth ODI at Adelaide by 21 runs to stay alive in the series after slumping to three consecutive defeats in the seven-match series.
Collingwood’s arrival in the fourth ODI at number seven helped his side reach 299 when they were reeling at 227 for the loss of six wickets. The right-handed batsman held himself confidently at the crease and managed to smash a six and two boundaries.
“Maybe after an innings like yesterday (Wednesday) when I hit a couple out of the middle of the bat, it might just click,” Collingwood stated before adding that he is really confident that his form is “just around the corner.”
Collingwood’s double figure score at Adelaide was the first time he had passed 20 since the second Test match at Adelaide in the Ashes series in December 2010.
The 34-year-old veteran batsman, who retired from Test cricket after the 2010-11 Ashes to focus on his limited-overs career, is struggling hard to find his form.
Collingwood's form was a major concern for the English side as he was picked up as a fifth bowler. He mustered just 83 runs during the recent Ashes series and is currently averaging at 12.50 in the ODI series. His form is especially worrisome since the ICC
World Cup 2011 is just around the corner.
However, Collingwood stated that after the Adelaide win he is finally on his way to overcome his Ashes horror.
“Something like that can snap you back into form...hopefully I will be more at ease when I next get out to the middle,” Collingwood said.
However, he pointed out that he was a bit miffed after being relegated down the order but he said that it was a “good situation” and he needs to be positive.
“I was happy with my game...it was good to get past 20, I haven’t done that in a while,” Collingwood added with a smile.
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