Collingwood kicks-off in form - shame it's only with the ball and not the bat

But then came another batting setback.

England's limited-overs captain endured a miserable npower Test series against New Zealand as runs eluded him.

Five star: Paul Collingwood is all smiles after taking one of his five wickets

Here was a man in need of a pick-me-up, so he went home to Durham and dusted off his bowling boots.

To mark the day when English cricket's finest set their stall out for a share of the Stanford and Champions League riches, Collingwood destroyed Derbyshire with five wickets for just 14 runs in his four overs. Not a bad way for the 32-year-old to prove that his damaged right shoulder is still enjoying the soothing benefits of a third cortisone injection.

Unfortunately, his latest visit to the crease ended in yet another low score. He made just seven before falling lbw to Graham Wagg.

The Twenty20 Cup is in its sixth year and was already a phenomenal success before it became obvious that players are now chasing pots of gold at the end of the rainbow.

But yesterday, the crowds poured in with renewed enthusiasm — young, raucous supporters getting their fix of big hits and cart-wheeling stumps.

It did not take long to prove that money is not everything when it comes to player motivation — at least not yet. The best young batsmen in the land were upstaged by a man who surely will not be gracing either of the multi-million pound events which have been the focus of so much dressing-room chatter this week.

Marcus Trescothick's sole driving force these days is the desire to bring some silverware to Somerset.

Since being forced to abandon his international career by a stress-related illness, the left-hander has been content to plunder county attacks.

He maintained that fine tradition with an onslaught against Northamptonshire. With the home side chasing 202, they needed a flying start and Trescothick obliged. He bludgeoned his way to 69 from just 32 balls — smashing three sixes and 10 fours in the process. His opening partner, Justin Langer, played second fiddle.