Collingwood talks up Stokes

By Rob Barnett

Ben Stokes’ man-of-the-match display in Durham’s Royal London One-Day Cup final win bodes well for England, according to fellow international all-rounder Paul Collingwood.

Stokes took two economical wickets and patiently made an unbeaten 38 to help overhaul Warwickshire’s 165 all out in a tense three-wicket victory at Lord’s yesterday.

It was Stokes’ second match award in as many Royal London Cup games after his scintillating 164 from 113 balls saw off Notts Outlaws in the semi-finals.

Collingwood, a player approaching the end of his career, has been impressed by the 23-year-old who is emerging in all three international formats.

Winners are people who get in late #5to4@ryanpringlehttp://t.co/Nv0spkhK7L

— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) September 21, 2014

Speaking exclusively to ecb.co.uk, Collingwood said: “He’s still very, very young. A lot of people forget about that. But he’s got the x-factor and what he showed today was a lot of maturity.

“We all see what he did against Nottinghamshire in the last round; that was something amazing. But he’ll be as satisfied with that innings today, out there gritting it out for the team and having a maturer head on his shoulders.

“These are all learning curves for him, being in these situations under that kind of pressure. It’s great for England in the future.”

With Collingwood’s international days seemingly behind him, Durham have a new England man in Stokes.

Now the county have added a second List A prize to their three County Championship titles, there is plenty for all involved to reflect fondly on.

Durham’s fans who made the long trip to Lord’s certainly have reason to celebrate.

“The north-east region is a very proud region with sporting pedigree with the football teams up there, but they do love their cricket as well,” added Collingwood, who has signed to play for Durham in 2015.

“For them to have two weeks’ notice to come down here and make the effort to come down, all the players really appreciate it and I’m just glad we can get a win for them.

“That’s three championship and two one-day trophies in seven years, and that’s something special. Hopefully we can continue to do that in the next few years.”

Collingwood himself played an important role in Durham’s success yesterday, chipping in with two scalps and 21 runs.

Can somebody find my voice please

— Paul Collingwood (@Colly622) September 21, 2014

In the absence of unavailable all-rounder John Hastings, the 38-year-old’s contribution delighted captain Mark Stoneman.

“For Paul Collingwood to step in in place of John Hastings and bowl very well, the way he did, that’s testament to where we’ve all be this season. Everybody putting their hand up to be counted,” Stoneman told ecb.co.uk.

Ahead of this season Stoneman was appointed limited-overs skipper of Durham, who became a first-class county just four years after his 1987 birth.

Stoneman, who contributed 52 from the top of the order yesterday, added:  “It’s massive. Obviously we don’t have a long history but we’ve got a proud history.”

“The last seven years we’ve managed to pick up trophies on a few occasions and that’s what we want to continue doing.

“So today’s another tick in the box for those ambitions and it’s a fantastic day for everyone involved in the club.”