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02-Jan-2010 03:14:00 GMT
South Africa v Zimbabwe, 3rd ODI, Centurion

Injured Collingwood May Miss Third Test

Cape Town: Injured England batsman Paul Collingwood could miss the third Test against South Africa starting on Sunday. 

The Durham player dislocated a finger in the second-Test win, a result that put the visitors 1-0 up in the four-match series, and coach Andy Flower said he had a "50-50" chance of recovering in time.

If Collingwood fails a fitness Test on Saturday, England will give a Test debut to Hampshire opener Michael Carberry or Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright.

"If he (Collingwood) goes out we'll lose some experience but you gain in another way if the debutant comes in and kicks off his international career," Flower told reporters on Friday.

The coach added that Carberry had been particularly impressive in practice.

"The way he batted in the nets this morning I would feel very confident when he strode out to the middle," said Flower.

Collingwood has been in sparkling form on tour, batting well in the One-dayers before scoring 50 in the opening Test and 91 in the second.

South Africa coach Mickey Arthur said his team was likely to make at least one change after losing by an innings in Durban.

"We had a pretty serious discussion after the Durban Test," said Arthur. "It certainly isn't panic stations but we asked each other a lot of questions.

"We need to win a Test match. Whether it is one change or two changes, I'm not sure."


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