PAUL COLLINGWOOD’S decision to retire from cricket, at the age of 42, concludes a career that was unlikely as it was excellent, overcoming as it did the damning sobriquet of being a “bits and pieces cricketer”. He went right to the top, as well, playing 68 Tests plus 197 ODIs and 36 T20Is. In white-ball cricket he even captained his country, lifting the 2010 World T20 trophy – still England’s only ever global title.
Collingwood, not unlike Alastair Cook, wrung the most from his talent, though in his case the determination and enthusiasm was backed by an athleti...