England are hoping the arrival of Paul Collingwood will act as the lucky charm they need to help them to an unexpected success in Friday's third Ashes Test. The Durham all-rounder joined up with the rest of the squad today having been called up from Melbourne, where he was playing grade cricket for Richmond, as batting cover for injury doubts Michael Vaughan and John Crowley.
He is the 21st person to be named in England's Ashes squad since the original 16 were first revealed last September and he could be in line for his Test debut on Friday at the WACA. He is regarded as a good player for the big occasion, which he has proved several times during his 25 appearances in one-day internationals and the England coaching team will be hopeful he can lift the spirit of the squad after a difficult five opening weeks to the tour.
England have already lost a number of key players to injury, with Darren Gough and Simon Jones having both flown home with knee injuries, and several more are doubtful for Friday's Test, including Michael Vaughan, John Crawley and Andrew Caddick.
"On a given day as long as our guys perform they will compete," said coach Duncan Fletcher. "There was a period in the last Test when we were competing and we have to make sure we extend this window of competition. The guys in our squad believe they can beat Australia and they want to beat them - there is a great desire there to beat them."
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
