Buttock strain rules Collingwood out

	Paul Collingwood won't be travelling to India for the Champions League © AFP
Related Links Cartoon : Buttocks News : Delhi eye McGrath for Vettori News : IPL teams not at a disadvantage - Gambhir Players/Officials: Paul Collingwood Series/Tournaments: Champions League Twenty20 Teams: Delhi Daredevils | England

Paul Collingwood has been ruled out of the Champions League Twenty20 with the buttock strain he picked up during the Champions Trophy semi-final against Australia, but the ECB are confident he will be fit for the tour of South Africa which starts in November.

"The scan revealed a grade two tear and Paul has been withdrawn from the forthcoming Champions League in India in which he was due to play for Delhi Daredevils," said an ECB statement. "It is anticipated that with rest and rehabilitation Paul will be available for the tour of South Africa which starts in early November.

Collingwood didn't make any appearances for Delhi Daredevils during this year's IPL but his contract said he had to attend the Champions League. He admitted that his body could do with a rest, although the ECB were quick to reinforce that the injury was genuine rather than a way for him to opt out of the tournament.

"We have a contract with the IPL about making our players available, however Collingwood has picked up a little niggle in his buttock," Andy Flower, the England coach, said last week. "It is a genuine injury. He definitely did something when he played one of his first pull shots on Friday against Australia. He actually struggled through the game with that problem. It is not in any way trying to get him rest."

The Champions League will begin on October 8 and ends on October 23. England's next assignment is a Test and ODI tour of South Africa with the first Twenty20 international on November 13.

Collingwood's injury is the same as the one which ruled out England allrounder Stuart Broad from the Champions Trophy semi-final.