Collingwood Injury a Blow For England

England batsmen Paul Collingwood has had to sit out the fourth day of the test match against South Africa because of a suspected broken finger. The injury occurred during fielding practice on Tuesday before the players took the field. Collingwood has since had an x-ray which confirmed the finger is not fractured but the full extent of the injury is not yet known.

The middle order batsman was forced to watch the fourth days play from the dressing room as England took control of the second test. Ian Bell and Matt Prior put on 112 for the sixth wicket as Bell went on to make an impressive 146. The declaration followed shortly with England on 575-9 before England’s bowlers took centre stage.

Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann ripped through the South African top order to leave the hosts on 76-6 before bad light cut the days play short.

If Collingwood is not able to play in the third test at Cape Town England may be forced to draft an extra batsman into the squad. Luke Wright deputised for Collingwood in the field although a promotion to the starting XI for the Sussex player may upset the balance of the England line up. Wright offers an extra bowling dimension although the selectors may opt for another specialist batsman such as Michael Carberry from the performance squad should Collingwood be ruled unfit to play.