The Paul Collingwood MBE Appreciation Thread

[Growler]

So it's official according to Sky, this will be his last Test.

A fine, if somewhat undervalued servant to English cricket.

He'd be the first to admit the limits of his talent, but he certainly made full use of it. Certainly the right time to go ... on a high.

I wish him further success in the short game for another couple of years.

[Henry]

I feel like this deserves its own thread. A great servant of English cricket. Has rescued England on many an occasion.

Well played sir.

[Growler]

Sorry Trev - posted the same thing at the same time ....

[Henry]

Sorry. Fromage can you merge the threads please?

[Guest]

Many great memories from the man, and as I mentioned in the other thread we wouldn't have won the Ashes in 2009 were it not for him.

[JGK]

Can we please add MBE to the title of this thread?

[Growler]

Done

[beamer]

Always gave 110% in an England shirt - and his record shows he made the most of his ability. As one of the BBC reporters has pointed out, he ends with an average above 40 which is something Atherton, Stewart, Hussain, Gatting and Botham all failed to achieve. I know all of those faced better bowlers on the whole in their respective eras but it's still something he can take some pride in, as well as the fact that a high proportion of them were tough runs in real match situations.

[Henry]

So where does he rank?

I'd have him on a par with Nasser Hussain as a batsman.

[PeterCS]

Love the guy.

It was time to go. But he embodied all the right qualities of determination, fight and support to team mates, played some stellar innings despite his known technical shortcomings, was an outstanding fielder, and was as good a catcher as I have seen.

And a great guy, ever modest despite his achievements on behalf of the team.

I hope he keeps showing his qualities and skills in the shorter forms for some time to come.

[Henry]

Yeah, he's probably the best fielder England has ever had.

[Lara Lara Laughs]

In his own way, a bit of a legend - for some of his legendary catches alone.

If we class him as an allrounder (taking fielding into account), where does he rank? About the same level as Chris Cairns in terms of his worth to the team?

[Jontyh]

Yeah, he's probably the best fielder England has ever had.

Aye. He and Randall are the best I've seen in an England shirt I reckon.
Epitomised the bulldog spirit, never shirked a battle and always, from what I can gather, a gent.
Hats off, Colly.

[JGK]

First Pom in 70 odd years to score a double ton in Aust as well.

Although these days that is hardly an achievement any more.

[LeFromage]

So where does he rank?

I'd have him on a par with Nasser Hussain as a batsman.

Stronger bones.

[Jontyh]

Be fair, JGK - it was when he did it!

[Gary 111]

Always gave 110% in an England shirt - and his record shows he made the most of his ability. As one of the BBC reporters has pointed out, he ends with an average above 40 which is something Atherton, Stewart, Hussain, Gatting and Botham all failed to achieve. I know all of those faced better bowlers on the whole in their respective eras but it's still something he can take some pride in, as well as the fact that a high proportion of them were tough runs in real match situations.

Though to be fair to Colly, some of the bowlers Athers, Stewart and Hussain struggled against, e.g. McGrath, Warne, Murali, Vaas, Kumble, Collingwood had decent success against.

[Henry]

Depending on how England and Colly go in the World Cup, that may be his swan-song in that form of the game as well.

[Basil]

It was Wally Grout who said of Ken Barrington that they could imagine him coming out to bat with the Union Jack around his shoulders. I think the same comment could be made about Colly.

[furriner]

One my favourite players. Knew himself as a cricketer, knew his game. Best of all, knew when to walk away without a shred of entitlement or overt sentiment. And yeah, to me he remains the quintessential Englishman.

[PeterCS]

One my favourite players. Knew himself as a cricketer, knew his game. Best of all, knew when to walk away without a shred of entitlement or overt sentiment. And yeah, to me he remains the quintessential Englishman.

What about Charlie Chaplin?

[Gary 111]

If Ponting had recognised his declining powers like Collingwood had Australian cricket would have been better off.

Not saying he should have retired, but should have relinkquished the captaincy a year or two back and dropped down the order.

[Gary 111]

Jees, look at my spelling in that last post. Haven't had a drop to drink. Honest.

[furriner]

One my favourite players. Knew himself as a cricketer, knew his game. Best of all, knew when to walk away without a shred of entitlement or overt sentiment. And yeah, to me he remains the quintessential Englishman.

What about Charlie Chaplin?

I'm old school, prefer Richard Burbage, not these young whippersnappers.

Jees, look at my spelling in that last post. Haven't had a drop to drink. Honest.

Not to worry, these days even commenting on Ponting seems to cause a sharp drop in IQ.

[PeterCS]

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