socialmedian: Paul Collingwood keen to avoid war of words as England kick-off South Africa tour

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Paul Collingwood keen to avoid war of words as England kick-off South Africa tour

Source: guardian.co.uk Sport

Nov 06, 2009

Summary

• England's sledger-in-chief ignores Graeme Smith's comments
• Sajid Mahmood may make XI in place of Graham Onions

England open their tour of South Africa today with a record against their hosts that has both sides scratching their heads.

South Africa are relishing their position as the No1 Test side and they are no slouches at the one-day game, either, despite the odd lapse under pressure. They certainly expect to soften up England before the Test series in the one-day battles that start with two Twenty20 matches next week.

The last time England toured the country five years ago, they lost the one-day series 4-1, and the South African public will be looking for something similar this time around – and yet it might not be that simple.

England have won the last five completed ODIs between the two sides, a sixth at Cardiff at the end of the 2008 summer being washed out. The most recent match between the two last month in Centurion saw England play outstanding cricket to put their hosts out of the Champions Trophy.

It was also a match which sparked some needle between

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