Collingwood may recover in time for first ODI

With a spate of injuries dogging England camp, any news of recovery comes as a breath of fresh air. All-rounder Paul Collingwood’s recovery has spruced up the morale of the team. Collingwood said he may recover just in time for the Friday’s opening ODI encounter against South Africa.

“I’ve been progressing really well. It was very sore on Sunday and I had two injections on Monday,” said Collingwood in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

"It seems to have all settled down and I did some work in the gym today (Wednesday). I would have been 50/50 if I had to play today, so I think there's a very good chance of me playing on Friday."

Incidentally, Collingwood is on the brink of a record of maximum ODI appearance for England. He currently shares the record of 170 matches with former stumper Alec Stewart. 

"I wasn't sure I'd play many more after the first four games and I've had a lot of luck along the way, especially with staying injury-free. I had a couple of injuries early on but, touch wood, not so many after that," he said. 

"The key to my longevity has been getting the most out of what I have in terms of talent. I guess over time you work out the formula, how to get the best out of the skills you've been given, that's forever been the motto I've played under.

"The game is forever changing, it's a lot more powerful now and I've needed to become fitter and also make changes to my technique," said Collingwood. 

The all-rounder injured his back in the opening Twenty20 international against South Africa last week and had to sit out in the second match as well as the warm-up game with South Africa A.