Collingwood a weak link in England side: Warne
By IANSWednesday, December 22, 2010
MELBOURNE - Australian spin legend Shane Warne has called Paul Collingwood England’s weak link as the visitors look to retain the Ashes in the fourth Test which starts at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Sunday.
Warne said England could no longer afford to “carry” players after being outclassed in the third Test in Perth to bring the series level 1-1.
“When a team is winning, you can carry a player or two, but unfortunately for Paul Collingwood, he’s been short of runs for a while,” Warne was quoted as saying in The Herald Sun.
“Since Perth, when Australia smashed the Poms, Collingwood is back in the spotlight for his lack of runs. He might get one more chance here in Melbourne but he needs to make some runs.”
Warne also backed Nathan Hauritz for the Australian Test team and said his bat and ball at state level warranted a recall.
“What has impressed me about Hauritz, he’s gone back and taken wickets and made runs,” Warne said. “So I think it still stands that Hauritz deserves a chance for Melbourne and Sydney.”
