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Warne backs Collingwood MBE

Profiles RSS / / 13 February 2007 /

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Shane Warne has tipped Paul Collingwood to be the star of the World Cup after his three successive match-wining innings in the triangular tournament.

The two players enjoyed a fierce rivalry during the Ashes campaign and exchanged words on several occasions, with the legendary leg-spinner questioning the validity of Collingwood receiving an MBE for his limited part in England's 2005 Ashes success on home soil.

Warne has now hung up his international boots in both forms of the game and appears to have drawn a line under his spats with the Durham man and feels that the England all-rounder could be the player to watch when the tournament gets underway in the Caribbean in April.

"Collingwood was the big star," he said, of the recent Commonwealth Bank finals' victory by the tourists. "He could be the player of the World Cup.

"He will go to the Caribbean full of confidence and because of his versatility will always be in games."

He added to the Times: "He has made himself into an effective batsman who knows how to play situations. His bowling is a handy option and his fielding is top-drawer.

"Every one-day team needs a bloke like Collingwood - this is his game."

Despite the verbal sparring between the two, Warne, who will return to England to skipper Hampshire this summer, revealed his admiration for the way Collingwood sticks to his principles out in the middle.

"As everyone knows, we exchanged a few words but he has my complete respect for the way he fought back on the tour," added the world record Test wicket-taker.

"What impresses me about Collingwood is his determination to play his own game and not try to be something more glamorous.

"He never tries to impress with big shots or impose himself on the opposition.

"Knowing what makes you effective is an important skill - he must be a great player to bat with."

Look out for Collingwood in Betfair's top run-scorer market when it opens up as the tournament nears, with the likes of Australia's Ricky Ponting, West Indian skipper Brian Lara and Indian sensation Sachin Tendulkar sure to be near the top of the market.

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