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Paul Collingwood defiant in World Twenty20 defeat
David Lloyd16.06.09
Paul Collingwood is confident that England's painful exit from the World Twenty20 will not harm their chances of regaining the Ashes this summer.
Collingwood and his team-mates looked shattered after losing to the West Indies by five wickets in a match affected by thunder storms but the captain insisted they will be ready to take on Australia in three weeks.
“The important part of my job during this tournament was to keep the feeling of togetherness so we were working for each other and backing each other up,” said Collingwood, who will return to the ranks come next month's first Ashes Test when Andrew Strauss resumes command.
“I think we've got stronger during the tournament and thankfully when I give the reins back to Straussy I'm sure the boys will still be in good spirits and determined to do well.
“Although we got beaten and knocked out, I think the boys will be focused on what's coming up now.
“There has been a lot of talk about the Ashes but in the past few weeks the guys have been 100 per cent concentrating on the World Twenty20. But now it really is time to get their bodies, their minds and their skills right to beat the Aussies in the Ashes.”
Addressing his own captaincy, Collingwood added: “I've enjoyed it because I've had a group of lads who've put 100 per cent into trying to win the tournament and there was real belief we could. We've had some tough games. After getting beaten early on by the Netherlands it would have been easy to lie down, lose confidence and lose heart but we kept bouncing back.”
Reader views (6)
Just not tough enough. Modern England is just way too cushy. The South Africans have won because they have developed the same hard edge as Australia [in decline]. Their mental tenacity is totally lacking in the England side which ironically relies heavily on two South Africans...too soft, too wet. Perfect Nu Labor babies...
- James Ritchie, Oyster Bay Cove, NY
Test cricket and Toy 20 cricket - that is what the 'T' stands for isn't it - are not the same, thank goodness Strauss & Cook weren't involved in this schoolyard slogging game. No, some players were not up to it and will quietly disappear, but, for first class cricket, we do have a good squad and an excelent captain in Strauss. Don't write off the Ashes yet!
- Stephen, N London
Sorry - more on the same and I apologise first but 'Collie Wobbles doesn't cut it'
- Bill, Halford, Warwickshire
Englans's much promised clear out of second-rate (by world standards that is) players has still not happened. I guess we were probably lucky to get as far as we did but, this surely cannot be the best side England has can it? We continually rely upon two or three players to succeed and when they do we still fail! As previously stated by other contributors, we failed because we either selected the wrong players - chose the wrong tactics or are just not world class anymore? Let's move on and select a new bunch of youngsters (including some of those already there) and accept that we are still learning the twenty over game planning for the future - to praise the existing team for anything other than turning up is woefully wrong! and yes, I am an England supported but am dreading the Ashes right now... could be really embarrassing
- Bill, Halford, Warwickshire
Its just unbeleivable once again a English Captain blusters and makes beleive. Instead of just being honest and admitting we wernt and arnt good enough he manufacurers a good story as though we are much better than we are .They take us for fools. Other sides dont have much experiance in 20/20 but they have the guts , and mental toughness to make good. Why dont thse sad overpayed over indulged excuses for men just shut up and grow up.
- Peter French, Orihuela Costa Spain
England were technically inept and at one point failed to score a boundary for several overs. Collingwood's dissembling doesn't cover up the fact that his batting and his team's batting was utterly spineless. This does not bode well for the Ashes.
- Ed, London, England
