LEADER COLLINGWOOD A GREAT INSPIRATION
VETERAN DURHAM SKIPPER WORKING HARD TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING SPECIAL
to work with the guys that I’m working with, it is incredible to watch with the skill levels that they have.
“You really do learn on the job. If I can open up different areas of scoring, find different ways of putting bowlers under pressure, that’s exciting, to be trying new things.”
Collingwood was outspoken when a number of players moved on in recent years and he remains Durham’s most prominent backer.
There is a determination to put the club back in Division One and on a footing where it can hold onto its brightest prospects.
“Someone tells me it is my 23rd season, I’d lost count to be honest. I’m really excited, to start with a clean slate, no points deductions, it gives us hope that we can do something special.
“The last two seasons have been pretty demoralising in a lot of ways, it has basically been a two-year penalty. But I feel we’re out the other side now, we’ve lost some very important players but we’ve recruited very well over the winter and to have three quality overseas players for the season gives us a great boost.
“We don’t want to be a feeder club, that is very important.
“The players that we bring up from the academy, who have been for a long time, we don’t want them to be wanting to get away. That is important for the future, that we don’t allow that because it does take a lot of rebuilding.
“I don’t see being in the second division as that detrimental in terms of international selection, players might argue against that and ultimately you don’t want to give them any excuses to want to leave.
“That’s our aim, play at the highest level and that means getting up to Division One. There is genuine optimism that this year we’ve got some good young players coming through with some good experience too. We’ve recruited well and I’m hoping for good things.”
Durham’s pre-season preparation has been less than ideal with the weather largely restricting them to indoor practice.
Collingwood swats aside any fears of a slow start in trademark fashion.
“I’m not too worried. I remember one year we only had one grass net and went on to win the league.”
And that is a nutshell is Collingwood.
Ebullient and relentlessly positive.
Always determined to write one more remarkable chapter in his cricketing story.