Collingwood unlikely to frighten Australia

Battered and bruised in both body and spirit, England have turned to an all rounder unlikely to send shivers of apprehension throughout the Australia side.

Step forward Paul Collingwood, still to play a Test but a veteran of 25 one-day internationals. His figures? A batting average of 24.88 and 13 wickets at 45.61.

One-day figures do not reflect a player's contribution to anything like the same extent as Test match averages. Still, Collingwood's statistics do not argue a player likely to reverse the course of the Ashes series if he is selected for the third Test.

After demolishing the tourists in the first two Tests, Australia will retain the Ashes if they win in Perth.

England have called up a replacement for a Perth Test before.

In 1974, Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee combined for the first time in a partnership of ferocious speed and unremitting hostility, bowling Australia to victory in Brisbane.

Afflicted with injuries, England responded by recalling the late Colin Cowdrey in his 42nd year to the national colours.

Cowdrey, a batsman of impeccable pedigree, was revered in Australia and responded with innings of 22 and 41 on a lightning fast pitch in the days before helmets.

Durham all-rounder Collingwood can hardly be blamed for lacking the ability or record of Cowdrey, one of the great England cricketers.

LITTLE IN RESERVE

But his selection indicates the paucity of reserve strength in England.

In 1974, England's best batsman Geoff Boycott had started a three-year self-imposed exile from Test cricket. In 2002, his nearest equivalent is probably Mark Ramprakash, who has a fine record against Australia but averages only 27.32 after a decade in Test cricket.

Collingwood's sudden promotion from grade cricket in Melbourne is due to a barely credible England injury list.

Michael Vaughan, the only England player to enhance his reputation against the one of the best sides in history, is doubtful (knee and back). So too is John Crawley (hip), who has fought hard in the middle of the England order.

Darren Gough went home without bowling a ball in anger and Andy Flintoff has yet to play after a hernia operation. Left-arm spinner Ashley Giles has flown home after his side's fastest bowler Steve Harmison broke his left wrist in the nets.

Fast bowler Simon Jones suffered a freak accident during the first Test when he ruptured a cruciate ligament making a sliding stop in the field.

Now Andy Caddick, who has revived questions about his ability under pressure with varying performances in the first two Tests, is doubtful for the Perth match after suffering back spasms.

Winning sides create their own luck; losers seem to suffer disproportionately through injuries.

There are legitimate questions, though, to be asked about the wisdom of taking Gough to Australia at all after a year out of Test cricket or bringing an unfit Flintoff to the most unforgiving environment in world cricket.

England, at their best, were unlikely to extend a side hailed by Keith Miller as the best in history. Miller was a key player in the 1948 Australia side, a legitimate contender for the same unofficial title.

But have they given themselves the best chance to succeed?

Australia captain Steve Waugh has no doubts.

"They picked some guys who weren't fit," he said. "If you pick players that aren't fit at the start of the tour then you're taking a gamble."

Mail Cricket Editor