Collingwood back to knock on Test door

By the end of the World Cup, Durham all-rounder Paul Collingwood had established himself as an integral part of the England one-day team. It was thought that a call up to the Test side could not be far away but then fate took an unwelcome hand. He injured his shoulder during a pre-season friendly against Lancashire and was out for four months, forcing him to watch the inaugural Test on his home Riverside ground in Chester-le-Street when, otherwise, he might have been playing.

He did not get back into action until right at the end of the season, but his fortunes took a turn for the better when he was included in both the one-day and Test squads for the winter tours. The announcement means that Collingwood can now look back with equanimity on a summer he needs to put behind him. "These things happen," he says, "but at the time it was very frustrating. I managed to get back at the end of the season, score a few runs and thankfully got a place."

The bonus is that he has a place in both touring parties - Test and one-day. Still awaiting his Test debut, he was in two squads during the winter in Australia, so knew he could not be far away. He thought a good start to the season would see him make the step up, but then the injury shattered those dreams. He could see a long way back with only plenty of runs at the end of the season as a means of reminding the selectors of his presence. He regards this call as "a great surprise and I'm very happy to have that chance."

Collingwood is pleased with the way his shoulder has recovered. "It's probably 90% strengthwise but 100% movement which is better than the surgeon thought originally, so it's fantastic considering all the damage I had done to it."

He hopes to get the remainder of his strength back by continuing his strenuous training regime before departure to Bangladesh. Technical improvements need to be made as well. "I need to keep on working on my batting as there are a couple of things I am trying out. Sweeping will probably be a key thing in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. There is bowling technique to work on. I'll be going to the nets and keep on trying to improve my game."

Collingwood has always given the impression that he is hungry for success in the game. With his injury, he went past hunger to starvation and it will be a surprise if, when he takes his place in the England team once again, he does not gorge himself on every opportunity that comes his way.