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Paul Collingwood’s international career will be over very soon I’m afraid.

I hope he can keep playing for the ODI- and T20-sides for some time coming, but if he keeps batting like this, I do not see that happening.

And because of his poor batting form, we probably won’t miss him at all.

New players will come in, and Collingwood’s typical role as Brigadier Block is no longer in high demand for this England side. His grit seems to have rubbed of on his teammates and they can do without him.

His catching and bowling aided England in winning this series, but no batsman can keep his place in the side on just those qualities.

But even though I don’t believe England will miss him, I still feel sad, because he has been a great player to have around for England over the last few years.

Check out these posts from King Cricket and Edward Craig on what made him so good – and so likeable.

After the first week of 2011, this record will be P30 W8 D4 L18.

If you’re Australian, better try and come to terms with this now, so you can enjoy watching the cricketing greats Swann and Pietersen while they tear your team apart.

Stuart Broad, the one you love to hate, can now be found on Twitter. You can bother him via @StuartBroad8.

I don’t like bashing Kevin Pietersen, but this is just way too funny

If it is Devon where they are staying, well, they’re doing allright then:

Doesn’t sound that tough either:

Our own dedicated massage therapist is available most evenings as an optional extra so you can be pampered after a rewarding day.

Why I’m so excited? In the words of King Cricket:

In a world of cynicism, underperformance and questionable motives, the man who literally jumps for joy at taking a wicket is king.

Get your masks ready!

Some runs, a stunning catch and a wicket (the danger man Umar Akmal) of his medium pacers. All while struggling with a migraine!

Never mind the one dropped catch, this match will do him a world of good. And talk about him missing the plane to Australia can end now.

I already felt a bit ambiguous writing it down, but only later realized why.

It is sad how we never saw the Flintoff of 2005 – as a person and a cricketer – back in action after that series. His announcement yesterday just triggered that feeling.

But the fact Flintoff is retiring from cricket doesn’t make me sad at all.

I don’t have a lot more to say about this right now.

Lets watch a video.

So far, the plan is not working.

Now it could be Andy Flower didn’t get the message across to Pietersen: “It’s about time in the middle KP!” Or perhaps Pietersen is getting back at the England management by getting out early?

But seriously, I don’t think this whole go-play-for-Surrey-thing will do Pietersen’s confidence any good. In fact, if anything, it will have the opposite effect.

Lets face it, even if he scores a big century, it will be against a county side. Does anyone believe Pietersen will be really impressed by himself dominating a county bowling attack?

But if he fails – like yesterday, out for nought on the second ball – the effect could much, much bigger. Only negative.

Forcing him to play county cricket to get back in form while his England teammates are out playing Twenty20′s and ODI’s against Pakistan is counterproductive.

The only thing that will restore Pietersen’s confidence is playing international cricket and performing on that stage.

Well, that, and maybe Paul Collingwood having dinner with him.