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Moxon backs Colly's claims
Durham coach Martyn Moxon has backed in-form Paul Collingwood's claims for a place in the England team for the Second Test against Australia.
England's batting line-up performed disappointingly during Australia's First Test victory at Lord's and Collingwood gave the selectors a timely reminder of his abilities by scoring centuries in both innings of Durham's 207-run win against Somerset.
The 29-year-old racked up 181 in the first innings and followed it up with an unbeaten 105 from just 78 balls on Friday.
Moxon does not want to see Durham's promotion charge hindered by losing Collingwood to England, but admitted a call up would be deserved.
"If he is going to play in a Test he couldn't have a better time to do it because he's in tremendous form," Moxon told the Northern Echo.
"If they pick him in the squad and decide not to put him in the team I just hope they release him in time for our match at Southend on Wednesday."
Collingwood, who played two Tests against Sri Lanka in 2003, played down his chances of selection.
He said: "Nothing has been said to me by the selectors. Obviously I hope I'm in the team, but if I were picking it I probably wouldn't be.
"I don't see why they should change the team after one bad game when they have played well for two years.
"My turn will come. It's going really well for me and I'm improving all the time."
The Durham star has often been regarded as a one-day specialist at international level, but has this week been backed by the likes of Geoff Boycott, Allan Border and John Emburey for a recall to the Test team.
