PAUL Collingwood rolled back the years with a magnificent century for Durham in their opening Royal London Cup match at Taunton.

The return to 50-over cricket obviously suited the 38-year-old veteran of 197 one-day internationals as he made 113 out of a total of 311 for seven.

They were struggling on 36 for three when Collingwood went in, but he made a confident start and his second six off left-arm spinner George Dockrell took him to 50 off 48 balls.

He needed only a further 40 deliveries to reach his century and he received surprisingly fluent support from Keaton Jennings in a fifth-wicket stand of 103 in 15 overs.

Durham were 158 for four off 34 overs when they took the batting powerplay and Jennings contributed his full share as 56 were added in five overs.

The left-hander had made 45 off 43 balls when he holed out at deep mid-wicket, then Collingwood was brilliantly caught one-handed high to his left by Marcus Trescothick at extra cover.

But Gordon Muchall, John Hastings and Gareth Breese maintained the momentum as even one-day specialist Alfonso Thomas crumbled under the pressure, conceding 77 in his ten overs.

Durham amassed 153 off the last 16 overs, atoning for a poor start after Mark Stoneman chose to bat on a pleasant but cooler day. Given the 10.30 start, which seems unnecessarily early, there is always a danger of early movement, but Durham’s difficulties were largely of their own making.