CAPE TOWN, (Reuters) – England’s Paul Collingwood played a full part in practice yesterday, leaving South Africa with the tough selection decisions for the third test starting today.
Collingwood dislocated a finger during the second test in Durban and but the gritty middle-order batsman has recovered sufficiently to bat in the nets and field.
“Paul was having a net and at this stage he looks fine, he’s holding the bat with no discomfort,” England captain Andrew Strauss told reporters yesterday.
“We’re very hopeful he’ll play, if there are no late incidents. Which we’re pretty happy about because he’s a very experienced player.”
Collingwood is England’s leading scorer in the series with 167 runs in three innings.
South Africa are pondering dropping opener Ashwell Prince down the order after he contributed only 63 runs in four innings, and the form of experienced fast bowler Makhaya Ntini.
Ntini, the first black African to play for South Africa, took two wickets in the first innings of the first test but has struggled since and public opinion has swung against him.
“(Coach) Mickey Arthur has the final call on the XI in consultation with the selectors, but Makhaya is a sensitive issue in South Africa,” captain Graeme Smith said.
“He’s an icon throughout the country, but also an icon in terms of a player of colour and as a cricketer in terms of performance.
“I hope there’s still some confidence left in him, but it’s tough to say he’s improving when he hasn’t taken wickets.
England have played him well, but he hasn’t been at his best.”
