Captain Colly happy to plan a Caribbean crusade
PAUL COLLINGWOOD says he is geared to leading England’s quest for major international honours next year – even though he has not officially been installed as captain.
Collingwood led England through this summer’s World Twenty20 on home soil but his mandate as captain for the shortest form of the game officially ends after today’s international with Australia at Old Trafford.
Selectors currently have one eye on next year’s World Twenty20 in the West Indies in April, although there has yet to be a formal announcement to determine the long-term leadership of the side. Collingwood, however, insists he remains focused on the job at hand and will oversee the role until he is ordered otherwise.
“I’m pretty clear on my role,” said Collingwood. “I was captain for the World Twenty20 and I’ve been selected as captain for the two Twenty20s against Australia. So until I’m told otherwise, I want to lead England into the next Twenty20 World Cup. I’m happy with that arrangement and unless someone tells me otherwise, I look forward to my job captaining the side.”
England are expected to stick with the same XI which started the abandoned Twenty20 international on Sunday.