Collingwood unsure where his future lies following retirement

The 42-year-old called time on his professional career after a 23-year career in the game

Paul Collingwood has admitted that he’s unsure where his future lies following his retirement from first-class cricket other than a potential stint for Shotley Bridge.

The 42-year-old called time on his professional career after a 23-year career in the game. Durham’s 57-run defeat at the hands of Middlesex in the County Championship did not provide a fairytale ending at Emirates Riverside as the hosts endured an all-too familiar batting collapse.

However, the outcome paled into insignificance in a week where Collingwood’s contribution to the game for his county and England was celebrated, receiving several ovations from the home crowd and the notable guard of honour from both his team-mates and Middlesex.

Collingwood now heads into the unknown – other than a coaching stint with England over the winter in their tours of Sri Lanka and the West Indies. Beyond next year, he has revealed that he has not lined up a permanent coaching role and is ready to embrace openings either with Durham or elsewhere.

He said: “I’ll have to wait and see. I’ll certainly never stop supporting the club. I’m certainly going to keep a close eye on what is going on here. If there is a role that comes up, I’m obviously looking for employment other than the two months that I have with England over the winter.

^{Collingwood called time on his professional career after a 23-year career in the game}

“We’ll have to see if there are any opportunities that come up, but at this moment in time I’m going to enjoy the next couple of months going away with England to Sri Lanka and then see what is around the corner.”

Collingwood has insisted that he will not be lured out of retirement, conceding that it will be strange feeling to watch Durham take the field without him next season.

However, he has expressed his desire to return to his roots with Shotley Bridge along with bringing through the next generation of Collingwoods into the game.

“I think that will be the tough time,” he added. “If I do get the itch to get back out on the field it will be with Shotley Bridge. That’s not a bad place to play cricket. I’ve played there all my life. If I need that satisfaction again to get back out on the back it will have to be there.

“I’ll be coaching my daughters as well, who love the game of cricket at the moment. I’m looking forward to them getting more involved and enjoying the game. Shotley Bridge is my next playing step and I’ll hopefully bring my daughters along.”

Collingwood ended his career after making 306 appearances in first-class cricket, scoring 16,938 runs and taking 166 wickets.

Feature courtesy of the ECB Reporters Network