Strauss backs ‘great fighter’ Collingwood to fire in Boxing Day Ashes Test

MELBOURNE - Despite the contrasting form of England batsmen Paul Collingwood and Ian Bell, captain Andrew Strauss has said that he was not inclined to switch them in the batting order.

“We all know what Colly is like. He is a great fighter and we’ve got great faith in him,” the Daily Express quoted Strauss, as saying.

“He has got a lot of experience to fall back on and he has played some pivotal innings in Ashes matches. There is no reason not to expect more of that from him,” he added.

Collingwood is averaging 15.50 in the series, and looked out of sorts in the Perth Test, making 5 and 11.

On the other hand, Bell is second in England’s batting averages for the series with 213 runs at 71.00, trailing opening batsman Alastair Cook’s staggering tally of 495 at 123.75.

The 28-year-old’s sparkling form, including a top-score of 53 in England’s first-innings total of 187 at the WACA Ground, has prompted calls for his promotion to No.5 ahead of Collingwood. (ANI)