Collingwood admits ‘wrong decision’

26 June 2008

At the end of the fourth NatWest Series one-day international between England and New Zealand at the Brit Oval yesterday, England captain Paul Collingwood apologised for the ‘wrong decision’ which led to the dismissal of New Zealand batsman Grant Elliott.

"In the heat of the moment, a quick decision had to be made," Collingwood said. "Both players collided. I asked Ryan Sidebottom straight away: 'were you going for the ball?'

"He said, 100%, that he was going for the ball for the run-out. [It was a] split second decision in a tight game, with emotions running high. The umpire asked me if I wanted to uphold my appeal, and I said I was still appealing.

"I've never been in that situation before. I don't think I've even been on the field as a player [when a decision like that has been made]. In hindsight I wish I had called him back.

"You come off the pitch and wonder if you should have done things differently. I hold my hands up and say I probably made the wrong decision, and that is something that I will have to live with.

"I have unreservedly apologised to Daniel Vettori and the New Zealand team. We shook hands on the field of play and discussed the issue.

"I recognise that a fundamental of cricket is to uphold the spirit of the game and whilst my decision had to be taken in the heat of a very tense and exciting match I recognise that if I had more time I would have arrived at a different decision.”