It's time for Collingwood to show he's a jewel

Coach Duncan Fletcher was convinced England had found a gem of a one-day cricketer when Paul Collingwood began his international career nearly four years ago.

However, the batsman who first floundered against Australia in 2001 and then flourished on the following winter's tour of India, suddenly needs a few sparkling performances over the next fortnight, starting here today in the diamond mining capital of South Africa.

Collingwood has spent the last six weeks on the sidelines, a part of England's triumphant Test squad yet never too close to performing any role other than substitute fielder.

But now, after today's warm-up meeting with the hosts' A team, come seven limited-overs internationals in quick succession against South Africa.

Collingwood should start the series as an important and experienced member of the first-choice side. Yet his hold on a place does not look quite so secure as it did nine months ago.

The Durham player seemed an obvious candidate to nail down the No4 slot that once belonged to Graham Thorpe, but Andrew Strauss has nipped in there.