By Jon Steer
March 7 2003

Durham's Paul Collingwood has been praised by England coach Duncan Fletcher speaking after the resignation of Nasser Hussein and could be in the frame to replace him. In an interview with BBC Radio Five, the England Coach was keen to praise Colly and how he has improved as he has gained experience.

Fletcher pointed to Colly's awareness of the many situations that could arise in one-day cricket and said that there were a few strong candidates in the side for the job of captain.

Colly has had some experience as Captain when he has been called on to deputise at Durham.

He has now played 38 one day internationals for England, averaging just over 32 with the bat with one century and five half centuries.

Duncan Fletcher has always pointed to his golden rule of 30 one day internationals to establish a player in the team and to give them the ability to perform at the highest level. In this respect Colly is ahead many peoples favourite for the one day captaincy Michael Vaughan with only 26 one day caps.