Paul Collingwood's time as England's Twenty20 captain could end this evening but he wants to lead the side against the world's best in the West Indies next year. The Durham batsman captained England in this summer's World Twenty20 and was again handed the job for the two-game series against Australia, which started with Sunday's washout at Old Trafford and concludes with tonight's match at the same ground. No formal word has yet been issued on the long-term leadership of the side.
But with Andrew Strauss unlikely to return to the shortest form of the game, Collingwood is well-placed to take up the role for next year's World Twenty20 in April. "I'm pretty clear on my role," he said. "Until I'm told otherwise, I want to lead England into the next Twenty20 World Cup." England were four for two chasing 146 on Sunday before rain ended the match, with Joe Denly making a duck on his debut after taking on a short-ball from Brett Lee.
But Collingwood does not want the Kent batsman to curb his attacking instincts. "I'm glad he's got the belief and confidence to go for a shot like that," he said. "It didn't come off, but that's the kind of attitude and approach you want from a T20 player who is going to be opening the batting." * PA Sport
