Collingwood favours quick turnaround

Paul Collingwood's superb personal form continued with 86 in a fourth-wicket stand of 84, but his dismissal confirmed the end

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England are already eager to get back on the pitch against South Africa in Port Elizabeth tomorrow as they try to put their Newlands disappointment behind them.

A 112-run defeat in Cape Town last night was followed by an early-morning flight to Port Elizabeth, with the option of net practice for Andrew Strauss’ team this afternoon.

Their whistle-stop schedule then presents the fourth one-day international of a five-match series, now tied at 1-1.

But after yesterday’s significant setback, in-form Paul Collingwood is raring to go again.

Collingwood’s 86 could not save the day as England replied in vain under lights to South Africa’s ground-record 354 for six.

The Durham batsman is happy to accept the hectic turnaround - and early alarm call this morning - because it gives the tourists a near immediate opportunity to regain their series lead.

“It was 6.30 this morning - and it felt as though we’d just come off the cricket pitch,” Collingwood said of the team’s departure from their Cape Town hotel.

“But that’s the way it is, and we’re straight back into a game tomorrow.

“It is a quick turnaround. But in many ways that’s a good thing - obviously because of the result last night.”

Collingwood is one of a clutch of first-choice players struggling with injury niggles.

But he reports his back trouble is not hindering him too much - and the various minor ailments of James Anderson (knee), Graeme Swann (side) and Stuart Broad (shoulder) did not prevent them playing yesterday and are believed to be improving.

After an opening partnership of 41 between Luke Wright and Andrew Strauss, England could not stay ahead of the run-rate

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“It’s settling down,” the Collingwood said of his own discomfort. “I think I’ve just got to control it as much as possible.

“Touch wood, everything feels fine at the moment - and I hope we can get another win.”

Strauss was deliberately tempered in his criticism yesterday, choosing instead to praise the opposition for exploiting a successful toss in the best possible way.

He again cited England’s noted ability for coming back from a defeat.

Strauss vowed: “We can bounce back strong tomorrow. I still believe in that dressing room there are 11 very positive cricketers, who are happy with their games - and there’s no reason why we can’t win.

“We’ve got a very good record of coming back after defeats and South Africa have proved they can do it as well.”

Reflecting on where England went wrong - many felt the main turning point was losing the toss at a venue where teams rarely win batting second under lights - Strauss instead suggested: “We tried a lot of different things with the ball, maybe too many.

“Then, although we showed quite a lot of intent, we lost too many wickets - and you can’t afford too many soft dismissals in those sorts of circumstances.”

As well as Collingwood’s runs, there was some consolation as Kevin Pietersen hinted at regaining some form following his four-month injury lay-off. He made 45 before falling to an attempted sweep.

Stuart Broad took four wickets on his return, albeit at a cost of 71, and, though James Anderson did not bowl his full allocation, Strauss allayed fears that a knee niggle has returned.

“There’s no reason to expect at this stage that (Anderson) is not going to be fit for tomorrow,” Strauss said.