Collingwood hails Wright move

Luke Wright will be given licence to attack against the Kiwis © Getty Images

Buy this photo

England one-day captain Paul Collingwood is predicting a golden future for Luke Wright after being impressed by the Sussex all-rounder's ability to handle pressure situations.

Wright is set to be given an extended run at the top of the order in the NatWest Twenty20 and one-day internationals with New Zealand during the next three weeks having first been given his chance in the winter meetings with the Kiwis.

However it was in the role of death bowler in one of the 50-over meetings, when a tight last over in Napier earned England a tie against the odds, that Collingwood became aware of his ability to cope under the spotlight.

“Luke really did well in the winter. The one thing that stood out for me was, not so much his batting, but that over I gave him at the end of the one game in Napier,” he said.

“That was a real pressure situation and he enjoyed it and, when you get a character like that, you know you are onto a winner.

“He has got a big future. He seems to like the pressure situations. He wants to be the one who is winning games. Luke has got the opportunity now to go out there and do that.”

Collingwood continued: “Luke is a big player, he can pretty much do everything. He is an all-round cricketer which is pretty much what you want in a one day side.

“He hits the ball very hard and can get the ball through when he is bowling. He just needs to get that experience and that confidence.

“He will get a run at the top of the order. He will be going upfront and hopefully doing what he does for Sussex.”