CRICKET : Paul Collingwood is not expecting any hard feelings between England and South Africa when they resume their international battle in the opening Twenty20 clash at the Wanderers on Friday.
Paul Collingwood is not expecting any hard feelings between England and South Africa when they resume their international battle in the opening Twenty20 clash at the Wanderers on Friday.
Graeme Smith and Andrew Strauss, who does not play in the shortest form of the game, had a well-documented confrontation out in the middle when the two sides last met during the Champions Trophy in September. The South Africa captain was denied a runner by his opposite number despite suffering from cramp.
But Collingwood, England’s Twenty20 skipper, has played it down, saying: “I think what you’re going to have over the next three months in South Africa are two teams that are desperate to win. You’re going to see some very good, hard-fought cricket – but I don’t think there’s going to be any extra needle because of what’s gone on before.”
He added: “I think both captains are very sensible in terms of how they lead out in the field and we just want to get on with the game of cricket out in the middle.
“There has obviously been some ICC (International Cricket Council) say on the matter and the understanding is that the decision that was made on that day by the umpires regarding cramp was the right one. So all the players are happy with that.”
England have been boosted ahead of the game, with Graham Onions, James Anderson and Graeme Swann, who had slight niggles, all declared fit to play.
It means only Stuart Broad misses out as he continues his recovery from a jarred right shoulder sustained while fielding against the Diamond Eagles last Friday.
