Captain Colly plays down cramp spat
PAUL COLLINGWOOD has played down suggestions of ill-feeling between England and South Africa when the pair do battle at the Wanderers today.
The rivals lock horns for the first time since captains Andrew Strauss and Graeme Smith were involved in a heated confrontation out in the middle of their controversial Champions Trophy clash in September when Strauss denied Smith a runner after he complained of cramp.
South Africa ended up losing the match and were eliminated from their home competition, prompting Smith to launch a damning verdict on the England skipper.
Strauss is not involved in today’s Twenty20 international as he does not play the shortest form of the game, but even still, stand-in skipper Collingwood does not expect any ramifications in this afternoon’s tour opener.
Asked if he expected a backlash from the Proteas, Collingwood said: “No, not at all to be honest. 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.
“There has obviously been some ICC 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 are set to be without Stuart Broad (shoulder) for the clash, although Greame Swann is passed fit.