Collingwood glad to be back among runs ahead of World Cup opener

DHAKA - England all-rounder Paul Collingwood has said he is happy to have ended his run drought ahead of his team’s World Cup opener against the Netherlands on February 22.

Collingwood scored 65 out of England’s 273 all out in their second warm-up game against Pakistan, and then took 3-48 from 10 overs to bowl out Pakistan for 206.

The 34-year-old had announced his retirement from the Tests in January following a dismal run during the Ashes series in which he garnered just 83 runs at an average of 13.83.

“I thought it was a top team performance. We did a lot of good things and, on a personal note, it was nice to get some runs. It’s been quite a frustrating few months for me not being able to contribute as much I’d have liked to,” the Sun quoted Collingwood, as saying.

“Even though it was a warm-up it was important to get some time in the middle and get that confidence back. Thankfully it worked out well. I probably had a little bit of luck early doors - sometimes you need that. I probably just gave myself a little bit more of a chance to get myself up to 20.”

“I guess I’ve been taking risks in the last 10 or so innings that haven’t been coming off. That can be the difference between getting out and going on and making a big contribution,” he added.

England starts their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands in Nagpur, before facing possibly tougher games against India, the West Indies and South Africa in Group B. (ANI)