The former England all-rounder has decided to continue to play for his county side Durham in 2018 regardless of his coaching duties with the England national squad. The English player earlier announced that he will hang his boots in September after having a county career of 22 years but decided to change his mind keeping in mind his brilliant form in the ongoing season. Collingwood’s contract expired in 2016 but it was extended so that he could feature for another season. A new deal will be formalized with Durham soon.
The 41-year-old cricketer recently became the oldest cricketer to hit a T-20 century when he played a magnificent inning of 108 runs against Worcestershire which is also his maiden T-20 century. Collingwood became the second highest run getter in the season prior to the ongoing County Championship after Joe Dently’s 921 runs.
“I genuinely thought at the start of the season that this was going to be my last one but I think it would be silly to give up a sport you love and one which you are still playing really well. There is an element of wanting to go out performing as well as you ever have done but things that have happened recently make me believe I can go on and more than do myself justice,” Collingwood was heard saying to Daily Mail.
Collingwood would work as the fielding coach for the England side along with head coach Trevor Bayliss and his assistant Paul Farbrace for the Ashes series followed by a % match ODI in Australia.
While talking about his coaching stint, the former England captain said, “I also see it as a huge privilege to be involved with England, not least because coaching these guys is a great way to keep learning. You don’t get the buzz that you do when you’re playing but you do get snippets of pleasure — like when a player who has been down in the dumps or struggling for form goes out and performs.”
