Colly feels good for new season

Paul Collingwood insists he feels like a 20-year-old as he prepares to embark upon his 23rd season with Durham.

The Shotley Bridge-born ex-England all-rounder, who will celebrate his 42nd birthday next month, made his Durham debut in May 1996.

But he has no immediate plans to call it a day.

Collingwood said: “At the moment, I still feel as though I’m 20 years old and raring to go.

“I feel as though it’s one of my early seasons and I’m looking forward to putting in some big performances.

“I’m still enjoying my cricket, I feel as though I’m still putting the performances in and as long as I stay fit and mentally strong enough to keep doing it...

“You’re a long time retired, as everybody keeps saying.”

County Championship and one-day success on the domestic front have been matched by glory on the international stage.

But far from resting on his laurels, the evergreen Collingwood is desperate to give something back to the club.

He said: “It’s a privilege to play for your county and they’ve given me a great opportunity throughout the years to fulfil my dreams, and you want to give that back to the county as well.

“And I still feel as though I can drive the team forward, which is important.”