Colly steps down as ODI captain
Back in the runs
By Jon Steer
August 4 2008
Paul Collingwood has stepped down as England's one day captain on the same day that Michael Vaughan resigned as the test captain. Colly's resignation came just hours after England lost the third test and the series against South Africa despite ending his own poor run with his 6th test century.
The double resignation of Vaughan and Colly leaves the way clear for the England management to name a captain for both forms of the game and this apparent coincidence has led some to speculate that Colly was asked to step down. Colly maintains that the issue had been on his mind for some time and that he made his decision on Thursday, the day before he made his century.
Colly has explained that he felt the captaincy has contributed to his poor run of form in both forms of the international game and that he was looking forward to playing an part in England's future successes.
No doubt Colly and the selectors will be hoping that his sixth test century will spark a return to form and perhaps being freed from the responsibilities of captaincy will help.
The squad for Thursday's fourth and final test will be named at lunchtime today and is likely to include both Colly and Steve Harmison who will fancy his chances of returning to the England team. The same announcement will also see the ECB naming the new England captain.
It will all come out in the washing but i would imagine Colly was advised to do this if not actually pushed,for the god of English cricket.
Could be good for Colly in the longer term - SA will be a hard one day series to win. An England loss and he would be forced out if probably never to return. At least this way he can still be around, if he plays as well as we know he can he may still be in the running as Pietersen will only keep the media happy if he wins matches, Strauss has no form - and Colly is a good captain.
So unless the selectors go and do another Pattinson and appoint Key............