England call up Collingwood for NatWest Series

England today named Alec Stewart as captain of a 14-man One-day squad for the NatWest Series against Pakistan and Australia.

The uncapped Durham batsman Paul Collingwood wins an international call-up for the first time and there are recalls to international cricket for the Surrey pairing of Alistair Brown and Ben Hollioake.

Derbyshire's Dominic Cork, who last played one-day cricket for England on the 1996-97 tour of New Zealand, is also included in the squad.

Alec Stewart, who will captain England in next week's npower Second Test Match against Pakistan at Old Trafford, will lead the one-day side in the absence of the injured Nasser Hussain.

The Chairman of Selectors, David Graveney, said: "We have discussed the captain's role with both Alec Stewart and Graham Thorpe over the last 72 hours. Alec is happy to take on the extra workload of captaincy in addition to wicket-keeping and opening the batting and we know that Graham, as a senior player, will be keen to help him as much as possible.

"Alec's appointment as captain will give us continuity following the Old Trafford Test Match and we were also keen not to disturb Graham's current role in the side as he is in such excellent form at present.

"In choosing this squad, we were conscious of the need to identify players who will be candidates for selection for the 2003 World Cup. Paul Collingwood and Ben Hollioake are both young players who have enjoyed good early season form. Likewise, Alistair Brown, who has been in prime form with the bat and deserves a recall to the international scene.

"Dominic Cork has done well for the side since he returned to Test cricket last summer and we feel that he can make an equally important contribution with both bat and ball to the one-day side."

Commenting on his selection for squad, Collingwood said: "I was delighted to get the call from David Graveney - in fact, to be honest, I was speechless when he rang me it was such a surprise. I don't think it will sink in until I actually get together with the rest of the squad."

Collingwood spent last winter playing grade cricket for Richmond CC in Melbourne after he was awarded the Ron Brierley Scholarship 2000 by the ECB.

Collingwood, who scored 600 runs at an average of 40 Down Under and also took 33 wickets at 12 apiece, added: "Richmond are a good club with several first-class cricketers including Paul Reiffel. Playing good, competitive cricket with people like that and seeing how they prepare themselves has definitely helped me and been a factor in the good start I've had to this season."

England Squad for The Nat West Series 2001

Alec Stewart (Surrey) (Captain) 08.04.63, Alistair Brown (Surrey) 11.2.70, Andrew Caddick (Somerset) 21.11.68, Paul Collingwood (Durham) 26.5.76, Dominic Cork (Derbyshire) 07.08.71, Robert Croft (Glamorgan) 25.5.70, Mark Ealham (Kent) 27.08.69, Darren Gough (Yorkshire) 18.09.70, Ben Hollioake (Surrey) 11.11.77, Nick Knight (Warwickshire) 28.11.69, Alan Mullally (Hampshire) 12.07.69, Graham Thorpe (Surrey) 01.08.69, Marcus Trescothick (Somerset) 25.12.75, Michael Vaughan (Yorkshire) 29.10.74.