Local Weather Forecast Uk

Payback time as Paul Collingwood celebrates vintage century

PAUL Collingwood has done far too much in his career for anyone to question his talent.

Yet it is precisely because of everything he has achieved for his country that gives reason to question what is left for him to do with his county.

For seven years, Collingwood has been a Durham player in name only.

He occasionally made an appearance at Chester-le-Street on the rare occasion he was given permission to play by the ECB, but his mind always seemed to be elsewhere.

When former England captain Michael Vaughan waved goodbye to his international career, he renewed his acquaintances with Yorkshire, fully intending to give something back to the county which had delivered him so neatly packaged to the national side.

He lasted only a handful of weeks before realising he could no longer motivate himself, retiring from the game completely to pursue a media career and leaving Yorkshire to hark back to the player he used to be.

The same could well have happened to Collingwood.

When the 35-year-old talked about his return to the county circuit last month, there was doubt in his eyes and the hint of misgiving in his voice.

After so long playing at the highest level, could Collingwood be bothered with the daily trudge of the county player?

The half-empty grounds, the travelling, the dressing-room banter and constant competition, not everyone is able to make the step back down.

His brilliant, chance-less century for Durham against Yorkshire yesterday was the proof Collingwood really does intend to give something back to the county whch helped make his name.

Not only does he want to pass on his experience, he retains the hunger for runs every batsman needs.

When Collingwood passed the three-figure mark, the reaction from the crowd was warm, loving even. The celebration was jubilant, wild even.

A fist pumped the air, both arms were raised, the bat pointed to all four corners of his home ground, a wide smile spread across his face.

After scratching around trying to score big and quickly in the Twenty20 thrashabout since his recovery from a knee operation, this was vintage Collingwood and a timely reminder of the ability he still has.

Patient, selective and ruthless when it came to punishing a loose ball.

He might not need to play cricket anymore, he probably has enough money in the bank to retire, but his first century for Durham since September 2005 was the clearest evidence yet he genuinely wants to carry on.

Summer forecast: Warm, tornadoes possible - The Local

Patches of rain will be the constant feature of the week. After a cool but mostly dry Monday night with overnight lows of between nine and 15 degrees Celsius, Tuesday will bring scattered cloud with some rainfall turning to heavy showers and thunderstorms in parts of the country. High temperatures will rise to between 21 and 25 degrees in the south and between 17 and 22 degrees in the north. Wednesday will be changeable with sunny periods interspersed with thick cloud. The south and east of the country will enjoy the more pleasant weather early on. Scattered showers will appear particularly in the west and north. But as the day progresses, the south and southeast may see thunderstorms. High temperatures will range from 20 degrees on the North Sea coast to about 30 degrees in southeast Bavaria.

Key Geography Skills, Activity Masters

Get Me Off The Dole: The UK Job Hunters' Manual

Exploring Geography: The local environment and the UK

The Northern Isles, Orkney and Shetland Sea Kayaking

The RCC Pilotage Foundation Atlantic Crossing Guide