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Collingwood against panic changes | Collingwood against panic changes |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Paul Collingwood says England should resist making rash team changes for the third Ashes Test against Australia. | |
There have been calls for Ashley Giles, James Anderson and Geraint Jones to be axed after the shock loss in Adelaide. | |
But England batsman Collingwood told BBC Sport: "There's been a lot of talking about certain players being dropped but we can't panic too much. | |
"I think we have proved we can play the cricket to beat Australia. We have to identify situations and be ruthless." | |
Interview: Batsman Paul Collingwood Interview: England coach Duncan Fletcher | Interview: Batsman Paul Collingwood Interview: England coach Duncan Fletcher |
Collingwood, who scored a double century in the six-wicket defeat in the second Test, also feels pressure should not be put on Michael Vaughan to return to the side before he is completely ready. | |
We cannot be banking on Michael Vaughan coming back as our saviour Paul Collingwood | |
Vaughan is continuing his comeback following knee surgery but is neither fully fit nor in top form after his spell on the sidelines. | |
"If he's 100% fit and raring to go then he will be an asset to the side, but we cannot be banking on Michael Vaughan coming back as our saviour," said Collingwood. | |
Meanwhile, England coach Duncan Fletcher has defended the decision to pick Giles ahead of fellow spinner Monty Panesar for the first two Ashes Tests. | |
Fletcher has come in for heavy criticism for not picking Panesar, who has claimed 32 wickets in 10 Tests, but says he is happy with the choices that were made. | |
"We stand by those selections," he said. "I have got to stand by those selections." | |
606 DEBATE: Would you stick with Giles in the third Test? | 606 DEBATE: Would you stick with Giles in the third Test? |
Giles has hardly played any cricket in the last year after undergoing two operations on his hip and groin but was selected ahead of Panesar for the first two Tests because of his batting prowess. | |
However, after scoring just 74 runs and taking three wickets at a cost of 87 runs each, his position is now under threat for the third Test. | |
Monty made a great impression last year but, as Duncan says, the balance of the team is the critical thing David Graveney | |
Fletcher is certainly coming under pressure to make changes but insists the side was "well balanced" for Brisbane and Adelaide. | |
He has also won backing from David Graveney, England's chairman of selectors. | |
"Monty made a great impression last year but, as Duncan says, the balance of the team is the critical thing," Graveney told BBC Radio Five Live. | |
An England XI play a one-day match against a Chairman's XI at Lilac Hill, starting on Friday, and a two-day game starting on Saturday ahead of the third Test in Perth on 14 December. | An England XI play a one-day match against a Chairman's XI at Lilac Hill, starting on Friday, and a two-day game starting on Saturday ahead of the third Test in Perth on 14 December. |
Fletcher has so far refused to discuss any possible changes for the next game against Australia but says he will talk with the rest of the players before making a decision. | |
"I don't sit there and say this is what we're going with," he said. "We will discuss it and decide what is the best plan to win the next Test match." | |
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