Sydney Test ‘perfect moment’ to bow out of Test cricket: Collingwood

SYDNEY - England all-rounder Paul Collingwood has said that he is looking forward to the opportunity of bowing out of Test cricket as an Ashes series winner in Australia on Friday.

The 34-year-old said that there were no regrets over his decision as England has the hosts reeling with just three wickets in hand and a deficit of 151 runs leading into the fifth day of the final Test in Sydney

“This is what I’ve been playing the game for, to be in a position against Australia, in Australia, like this,” the Age quoted Collingwood, as saying.

“It is going to be the perfect moment I think to bow out of Test cricket and I’m happy with the contributions I’ve made to the England cricket team in the Test format.”

“This team will progress and they’ll progress without me and get better and better. I’m looking forward to tomorrow as a final farewell,” he added.

Collingwood further said that despite his own struggles with the bat, this series had been his most enjoyable as a cricketer.

“Even though I haven’t been scoring the runs out here, I haven’t been able to take smile off my face. It’s something I have been waiting for a long time,” the 34-year-old said.

“Last time I was here four years ago I managed to score runs and we got beat five-nil. I’d much prefer this way around,” he added.

England has a 2-1 series lead, and has already retained the Ashes.

A victory on Friday will give the visitors their first Test series win in Australia since the 1986-87 tour. (ANI)