Collingwood ready for captaincy call

The Durham all-rounder is favourite to be named as successor to Michael Vaughan, who resigned as captain on Monday after four years in the post, when the one-day squad is announced by chairman of selectors David Graveney on Friday.

"I think when the England captaincy comes up, if I was to be asked, I think it would be very hard to turn down," admitted Collingwood.

"There are obviously going to be a few people who are up for the job in the one-day side, so we will have to wait and see who the selectors believe the best man for the job is.

"I only found out (about Michael) when I saw the press release, which was a bit of a shock, but he obviously feels it's time to step down and given somebody else the time and the experience for the next World Cup."

After lengthy consideration, Vaughan has accepted the inevitable - despite his objection to having separate captains which is bound to undermine his own position in the Test side should his successor prosper with the one-day line-up.

Collingwood, however, believes it is a system that can work and points to the example of Australia, who prospered at both forms of the game despite having separate captains several years ago.

"I think it's proved in the past that it can work," said Collingwood.

"Australia had Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh and had a great combination there with two people who both went in the same direction.

"Hopefully the same combination can be made in this respect. I think it's up to both captains to work in the same direction, and I'm sure they will."