England call up Collingwood as cover for third Test

An injury-ridden England have called up allrounder Paul Collingwood as cover for the third Test against Australia, starting at the WACA in Perth on Friday.

Collingwood, who has been playing grade cricket in Melbourne, has been added to the squad as England sweat over injuries to star opener Michael Vaughan and middle-order batsman John Crawley.

Vaughan, by far England's best-performing batsman in the second Test, is expected to be fit for the match in Perth.

But coach Duncan Fletcher said he had greater doubts about Crawley, who has not played since he was struck on the hip in a tour match against Australia 'A' eight days ago.

Fletcher said Collingwood was a good chance of playing if neither Vaughan nor Crawley was fit for the Test.

Collingwood has played 25 one-day internationals but is yet to make his Test debut.