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December 29, 2009
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News : Paul Collingwood 50-50 for Newlands - Andy Flower
Players/Officials:
Paul Collingwood
Matches:
South Africa v England at Durban
Series/Tournaments:
England tour of South Africa
Teams:
England
| South Africa
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England suffered an injury scare shortly before the start of the fourth day's play in Durban when Paul Collingwood dislocated his left index finger during fielding practice.
He was seen leaving the field with the team doctor and was taken to hospital for an x-ray which showed there was no fracture. Collingwood made 91 on the second day of the match before falling to JP Duminy shortly before the close, and has been one of England's in-form batsmen throughout the tour.
Having been named Man of the Series in the ODIs, Collingwood made 50 in the first innings of the first Test at Centurion, before a vital unbeaten 26 off 99 deliveries on the final day helped England secure a draw with nine wickets down.
Now that the injury has been shown to be purely a dislocation it appears to be less of a potential headache for the management. There is no specialist reserve batsman in the squad with all six in the starting line up. Luke Wright is currently the spare batting option, but his inclusion would alter the balance of the side.
In the last couple of weeks England have overcome a run of injuries that occurred during the one-day series and in the lead-up to the Tests. Jimmy Anderson (knee), Graeme Swann (side), Ryan Sidebottom (side), Stuart Broad (shoulder), Graham Onions (back) and Alastair Cook (back) have all spent time on the sidelines at various points.
Assistant Editor Andrew arrived at ESPNcricinfo via Manchester and Cape Town, after finding the assistant editor at a weak moment as he watched England's batting collapse in the Newlands Test. Andrew began his cricket writing as a freelance covering Lancashire during 2004 when they were relegated in the County Championship. In fact, they were top of the table when he began reporting on them but things went dramatically downhill. He likes to let people know that he is a supporter of county cricket, a fact his colleagues will testify to and bemoan in equal quantities.
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