Iain Morrison: Collingwood's bad call was just not cricket

Published on Friday 27 June 2008 15:42

IF THERE IS anything worse than cheating to win, it is cheating and still losing. Paul Collingwood took advantage of an accident when England bowler Ryan Sidebottom and Kiwi batsman Grant Elliott collided in last week's one day international at the Oval. With both players lying prostrate, England whipped the bails off at the end Elliott was heading towards. When asked by the umpire if he wanted to withdraw his appeal, as the laws of the game allow, Collingwood declined to do so and Elliot

Collingwood had the New Zealanders' dressing room door slammed in his face but he has since admitted his error, which might at least save him from the fate of Greg Chappell. Fully 27 years after the event, the peerless Aussie skipper is still best known for instructing his brother Trevor to bowl underarm along the ground to prevent New Zealand from hitting a winning six off the final ball of an innings. Long after his sporting achievements have dimmed, Chappell is still best remembered for that unsporting act. Let's hope Collingwood, who comes across as a decent man, does not suffer the same fate.