Paul Collingwood

Biggest Test of my life

Tue Aug 18 09:36AM

I don't think there is any doubt this is the biggest match of my career.

It is a simple equation - if we win the fifth Test at the Oval, we win the Ashes. The stage is set and it's very exciting.

It is a high pressure situation, but it is the kind of pressure you want. These are the situations you dream of as a young player.

If you can do well in this situation, you know it really means something, and we know that the prize for winning is the biggest one an English cricketer can win.

I played the fifth Test in 2005, but this one is a bit different because we have to win, whereas four years ago a draw was enough. There is a bit of a different mindset.

Jonathan Trott was in the one-day squad when I was first captain, although he didn't get much of a chance then. His performances over the past few years have been great and he deserves his spot, although obviously it is tough for Ravi Bopara.

Trotty looks in fine form in the nets. When you first come into the England squad, you can be overawed even in the nets, but he came in, has done superbly and looks really confident.

Of course it is a big challenge for him to make his debut in a decisive fifth Ashes Test. It doesn't get much harder than this, but he needs to take the magnitude of the occasion out of the equation when he goes out to bat.

If he has a similar attitude and confidence level to our other South African-born player, Kevin Pietersen, he won't get fazed.

As this is a one-off, must-win game, there were all sorts of names flying about like Mark Ramprakash and Marcus Trescothick. You might expect the normal selection criteria to go out of the window, but I think you have to keep your balance and not go overboard.

The selectors have stuck to their guns and reasoned that if Trotty was worth a place in the squad at Headingley then he is worth it at the Oval.

Since the last Test I have been able to spend a lot of time in the nets, and I have had some really good sessions.

We set the bowling machine up to match the styles of the different Australian players - Mitchell Johnson was getting it to swing in with his left-arm over at Headingley, for example, so that is something I have worked on.

It has been a good opportunity to hone my technique facing different angles and work on some specifics. The schedule is normally so hectic you don't often get the chance.

Some of the others went back to their counties to get some time out in the middle, and I know I might get criticised for not doing the same, but each individual has to prepare in the best way for them.

I am an experienced player and I feel that this is the best method for me to play well. Even if I wasn't in the runs at Headingley, I felt in good nick, so I didn't need the confidence boost of playing in a county game.

It's all about getting yourself in the right place mentally, and different people have different approaches.

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Wish i had a fiver for everytime i read this drivel from Collingwood
Just like the others, talk a good game.so you were in good nick at Leeds eh.and im sure bowling machines make the big difference(not)
From andyganley on Tue Aug 18 10:27AM
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collywobble you are lucky you are playing...because the selectors as always have no guts to drop you...
From mshah110 on Tue Aug 18 10:29AM
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This should be your last match hopefully because your rubbish.We would all feel in good nick getting all the money you do and not bothering to turn up.Sessions in the nets won,t help you should be in the middle you tw at thats the way forward try it
From chrishardy1 on Tue Aug 18 10:33AM
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Pietersen, Strauss and now Trott. Would you like Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis as well...?
From jcverm on Tue Aug 18 11:01AM
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wiips3free or baz or whoever you are masquerading as - you are RIGHT off the topic and NOBODY BELIEVES YOUR LIES
From bretorne on Tue Aug 18 11:17AM
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Why don't you just go out there and get some runs 'Colly'? That's all we ask. How about a first innings century from some of you?
Who knows, if you beat the Aussies this week they might upgrade your plastic MBE for a Knighthood. Even better, you can have drinky-poos on the lawn of No.10 with Gordon Brown. Now that is an incentive.
From james.mosley on Tue Aug 18 11:59AM
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"biggest test of my life"...and its gonna be your last too.
From pepless1983 on Tue Aug 18 12:20PM
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during the course of a test series 1 of two things happens (by and large, obviously with exceptions). Batsmen and bowlers face each other a lot. Either the bowler works out how to dismiss the batsman or the batsman works out how to score against the bowlers. In the last series, Hoggard had the edge ofve the Australian openers, Flintoff seemed to have the measure of Gilchrist. Simon Jones with the old ball had the measure of just about everyone. Bell started OK but the Australians gradually won the mental and technical battle. Bopara started OK with a 35 but has gradually lost the battle, meaning that he has either gone into survival mode scoring very slowly or just tried to throw the bat in desperation. Right call to drop him. this is the big test for Bell/Colly/Cook in many ways as the Australians think they have the measure of them. We will see if they have worked out a plan for each bowler. I have a suspicion that the Australians might drop Hilfenhouse for Lee. this might seem like madness but I think the English batsmen are getting more comfortable with Hilfenhouse and the newly in form Johnson and Siddle are going to bother them more.
From miseryguts77755 on Tue Aug 18 12:39PM
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I am Sanjudanu from Sri Lanka.I agree with Colly.I hope he will finish off this Ashes with a match winning knock.Colly I am a big fan of yours.Don't worry about critics Colly,you are English Steve Waugh.Best of luck
From vsanju2006 on Tue Aug 18 01:08PM
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Clearly Ravi Bopara has trouble with his knees and jaw/suckling muscles. However, you Mr Collingwood seem to be in fine form, but I suppose that's why you are still in the team and Ravi is not. Good luck, hopefully a bit of extra protein will put a bit of @#$% in performance over the @#$% days.
From rittgreg on Tue Aug 18 01:23PM
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Sanjudanu...no his is not!
From rittgreg on Tue Aug 18 01:25PM
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#4 - yes please...
if there's any way we can get them into the side, Smith and Kallis would certainly strengthen the top order.
............
Colly is at least putting the work in to address the problem that have been identified and look to replicate the likely opposition... which, while its not a match situation, in many ways could prepare him better for the final test than "soft" county runs; which contribute more to confidence than technique.
It can't replicate being out in the middle.... but then Mitchell Johnson is unlikely to volunteer to throw a few down to help England practice
Its a case of good luck and hope for the best, I hope Colly has a good one and bails us out when needed; his failings in this series have been technical not mental like many others.
And here's hoping Trott has a good debut... if he gets 20 it will be an improvement.
From ian_whittaker1 on Tue Aug 18 01:32PM
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I'm sure you're a nice guy Colly, but you're no journalist/columnist/writer. Man you need to focus on your cricket getting runs at the highest level and quit all the rubbish you write on here!
MJ
From still_x on Tue Aug 18 01:38PM
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Collin-you-go-woods!
From mvmuthu1946 on Tue Aug 18 01:39PM
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Good luck Colly, I hope you get a nice big score in the first innings. Much more pressure has been heapedon the middle order after Kevin went, also not helped by Freddie missing headingly just after showing good form with the bat.
I rate Stephen Moore as a future England opener, he looks very correct. I'd have him in at 3 instead of Bell personally. Maybe next series. Unfortunately Colly has the heart and good mental attitude and Bell has the class and all the shots. Between them, they make a great Test cricketer.
From j_turbo23 on Tue Aug 18 02:28PM
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lilywhisper ... no ... no ... and no
From bretorne on Tue Aug 18 04:41PM
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Why is Collingwood Flintoff Harmison still in the team. They do not deserve to be their. The England set up is a farce. After the last 9 Ashes tests I see nothing to look forward to in the 10th. This is the least talented Aussie side for years by their standards.
However the Aussies appear to be growing in status England seemed to have fallen down a very dark pit that they seem unable to climb out of.
A half decent England side would have had this series wrapped up by now. Overpaid overvalued thats the England team.
Half the price of the tickets fed up being duped.
From buttyhome on Tue Aug 18 04:58PM
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still_x - At least Paul knows how to use proper grammar and spelling, compared to most who post on here he is like William Shakespeare!
I cannot believe most I read on here. Are you cricket fans or just anti-English idiots?
So Paul has had a couple of bad games, so what? His skill in the field is just as important. Cricket is more than just hitting 100’s and bowling 5’fors.
It is also about fielding and Paul has proved time and time again that he is one of the best.
As for the comments about South Africans playing for England – Grow up. You know there is such a thing as being able to play for the country you live in. If every sportsman could only play for the country of their birth, nobody would be playing for who they play for now.
From quoling on Tue Aug 18 05:22PM
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I am fed up with so many people living in the past. The selectors had a chance this series to give England a new team a new look. Instead they stick with the 2005 players like a drug. English cricket is in the mire and players going to the IPL unfit then getting selected for England have not helped. Collingwood Harmison Bell Flintoff are well past their sell by date. The sad thing is there is a lot of talent around but you need good selectors to build a decent team.
From buttyhome on Tue Aug 18 05:56PM
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If yo u lot think Colly is so bad why bother to read his blog! Clear off and criticise someone else. Good luck for the Oval Colly and I wish you success in your short captaincy.
From sueashes on Tue Aug 18 07:34PM
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A South African - or any national - who wants to become eligible to play for England has to show 4 consecutive years' residency in this country and may not appear for any other ICC national side at any level during this time. To me, this shows a level of dedication to play for England that some of the British-born wearers of blue caps would do well to emulate.
From bretorne on Tue Aug 18 09:10PM
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We shall go on to the end, we shall fight at the Oval,we shall fight in the stands and terraces, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the field, we shall defend our wicket, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight in the nets, we shall fight on the training grounds, we shall fight in the field and on the wicket, we shall fight in the changing rooms; we shall never surrender!!!
From davemoyise on Wed Aug 19 11:01AM
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heya colly dont listen to all these pathetic hipocrits. These parasites arent even in the England team. Just go out there tomorrow and think u are doing it for freddie. He wants his last match to be a win and you want a century so do it for england.
From superhit6 on Wed Aug 19 11:29AM
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Don't worry about a big test you have had it and failed. You could even shag mrs Miller and Flowers and still get in the side. Or is that why you and the scared rabbit are in yet again? Oh how is your South African accent getting on? I hear its must in the England/SA dressing room.
From ps9rp on Wed Aug 19 02:36PM
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Don't worry about a big test you have had it and failed. You could even shag mrs Miller and Flowers and still get in the side. Or is that why you and the scared rabbit are in yet again? Oh how is your South African accent getting on? I hear its must in the England/SA dressing room.
From ps9rp on Wed Aug 19 02:36PM
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Let me read your comment again. I was not in the runs at Headingly but I felt I was in good nick. Where was this good nick happening? Was it in good nick with your friendship with the selectors? I'd hate to think what you consider to be in bad nick.
From ps9rp on Wed Aug 19 02:54PM
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ps9rp: if he's been playing away with those mingers he deserves to be in the side for life! Hell, he should be knighted, too!
From frogerius on Wed Aug 19 03:30PM
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Jeez, everyone seems to have short memories on here. Have you all forgotten the match saving knock that Collingwood gave us at Cardiff? If it hadn't been for that, who knows what would have happened in the series. As it stands now its 1 all with everything to play for. Let's see what happens over the next 5 days - after all, its not over until the Fred man bowls!!
From emily_pickford on Wed Aug 19 03:52PM
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Emily, you are right. I will always remember that innings with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. Such a brave Colly that day!
From frogerius on Wed Aug 19 04:27PM
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For me Collingwood is the greatest enigma in English cricket. He plays virtually no county cricket whatsoever - averages barely above 35 in first class cricket - his county record is similar to Ramps test record. So how he ever got picked in the first place is a complete mystery. He does however have the most uncanny knack of producing a match winning/saving knock when it seems inevitable that he is finally going to get discarded. I think most sensible cricket watchers would have axed Bopara and Bell and some would have shifted Cook. Less however were keen to do so to Collingwood as it is a pound to a pinch of s*!% that he'll do the biz at the Oval at the last chance saloon.
From pacranny on Wed Aug 19 05:16PM
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