Collingwood illness hits England plans

Collingwood contracted stomach cramps overnight and was ruled out of practice as a precaution, but is expected to recover in time to lead the side out for Thursday's day-night encounter at Old Trafford.

The Durham all-rounder, who took over from Michael Vaughan as England's one-day captain earlier this summer, has only been in charge for the last six matches.

He has made an impressive start and after losing the three-match series against West Indies earlier this summer, the vibrant brand of cricket played by England against India has helped them secure a 2-1 lead in the seven-match series.

Providing Collingwood recovers, it will save the selectors a delicate decision about who would have been the temporary captain in his absence.

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who is expected to recover from the knee injury which sidelined him for Monday's win in Birmingham, would be the natural candidate having led England during Test series in India and Australia and to success in the one-day tournament down under during the winter.

But having been stripped of the vice-captaincy during the World Cup for indiscipline in St Lucia, England may believe it is not the right move to re-appoint him so soon.

That would leave Kevin Pietersen as the strongest candidate should Collingwood fail to recover, having played an increasingly influential role on the field this summer.

"I just try to help out as much as I can," Pietersen explained recently. "Colly likes the help. With him being involved so much in the game, he talks to me a lot and asks for my opinions.

"Basically we just get together and sort a few things out like bowling changes and fielding positions. We read off a similar script so it's nice. I wouldn't say I'm vice-captain or anything like that but we do spend quite a lot of time talking and we get on really well."