As he prepares to become England's most capped ODI player, Paul Collingwood accepts he has made the most of his ability
England all-rounder on brink of landmark on South Africa tour
Paul Collingwood accepts he has made the most out of his ability to survive in international cricket, as he stands on the brink of becoming England's most capped one-day player.
Collingwood has played 170 times for his country in one-day cricket, and is level with former wicketkeeper-batsman Alec Stewart on that mark.
Durham all-rounder Collingwood will move beyond Stewart if he overcomes a back injury to play in Friday's first ODI against South Africa.
Collingwood has never been labelled as one of the most naturally gifted cricketers, and he accepts that he has made the most of his ability by shear hard work.
"I think that's fairly evident (that I've got the most out of my ability) to be honest, it's pretty much my motto in playing international cricket," Collingwood said. "I think every player puts the effort in, but it's actually trying to work out a formula and get the best out of what skills you've been given.
Motto
"That will forever be my motto. I think the game's changing as well so you've always got to improve, you've got to be fitter to stay up with the modern game.
"The game seems a lot more powerful than it used to be, so it's forever changing, you're forever trying to tinker with things and improve in certain areas. I'll continue to do that and hopefully get the best out of what ability I have."
The 33-year-old had a miserable start in his first four ODIs, but he was chosen to tour Zimbabwe and has gone on from there - scoring more than 4,000 runs and take 97 wickets.
"When you've played so many games along the way, you've got to probably have a lot of luck," he added. "Certainly after four games, I think I had a fair bit of luck in the selection going to Zimbabwe after that. Thankfully I've done okay since then.
"I remember doing okay out in Zimbabwe - I think it was the third or fourth game when I got a 70-odd not out in Bulawayo. That I think was a major hurdle for me.
Proven
"Although, it wasn't exceptional opposition, I think I proved to myself that I could do it at international level. Up until then I had played against Pakistan and Australia and showed no signs whatsoever.
"Probably that moment I said 'I know I can do it now'. I don't think I thought was cemented in the side, but I knew I could progress as an England cricketer."
Collingwood, who has also played 53 Tests, picks out his 120 against Australia in a 2007 ODI as his career highlight, while he still hopes to win a trophy with England before retiring.
"The 120 against Australia in Melbourne, I don't think I will get more innings where I've come off and felt that satisfied - although I hope I do.
"We all know that England has never won an ICC trophy and that's one of my main ambitions in my career. That and beating Australia in an Ashes in Australia are the two real main goals that I've got to try and do before I finish my career."
