Time for Collingwood to bow out

Stephen Brenkley, writing in the Independent, says Paul Collingwood, with his place in the one-day side uncertain, and a knee problem, should call it a day.

At some point England have to start planning for the World Cup after this when Collingwood will be 38. He is carrying a knee injury and it was confirmed yesterday that he will have an arthroscopy to repair minor cartilage damage after the World Cup. Collingwood is still a centrally contracted player, he is still fit and fuller of beans than just about any other player in the squad – the knee surgery notwithstanding – but there is more to top-level professional sport than that.