DESPITE his side having to settle for draws in the opening two matches of their defence of the LV County Championship title, Durham skipper Paul Collingwood revealed yesterday that he might not retire this season after all.

He will be 38 next month and said when the title was clinched last September this would be his final season.

But after making a century against Durham University and an unbeaten 52 against Somerset yesterday, he said: “If I have a great year and really enjoy, and I don’t feel I’m holding anyone back I might carry on.

“I feel re-energised after my coaching roles during the winter.

“Watching other people’s techniques while coaching has given me a few tips, so in a way they’ve been coaching me rather than the other way round.

“I’ve made a slight technical change and I’m trying to hit the ball harder. I’m enjoying hitting it through extra cover instead of working everything to leg.”

Collingwood admitted he was frustrated by a change in the rules limiting the use of the heavy roller as well as by the changing nature of the Chester-le-Street pitches.

“It’s disappointing that they seem to change the rules every year,” he said. “We had some idea of how the pitches would react to the heavy roller, but now we have to adjust again. It seems we have to make different decisions every year. “When I was batting in the morning I knew the ball wasn’t swinging and it’s when it swings that the pitch seems to be more helpful. If the ball doesn’t swing the pitch becomes flat.

“I knew we needed a few more runs and I don’t think I could have set them anything less. They are a strong batting side and we didn’t want to hand them a win.”

Even at this early stage, Durham now have ten days off before entertaining Yorkshire and Collingwood hopes to have Mark Wood available following his side injury.

The Ashington paceman has been bowling for the second team against a combined Kent / Essex team at Billericay this week.

“We’re lacking the X factor that someone like Wood and Ben Stokes can bring to the team,” said Collingwood.

“Having said that, Usman Arshad bowled very well today and he’s an exciting prospect.

“The bowlers are a bit drained after playing on two flat pitches so it will be good to have a break and get ready for the Yorkshire match.

“The batsmen are playing with positive intent, but we don’t want that to be an excuse for not going on to make big hundreds. We are playing good cricket and putting teams under pressure, but we want to play excellent cricket and win.”

  • Paul Farbrace is to start work as England’s assistant coach with immediate effect, the England and Wales Cricket Board have announced.

The appointment of the 46- year-old had been expected ever since Peter Moores was given the top job on Saturday.

Farbrace leaves his role as the coach or Sri Lanka to return to his home country.