NAGPUR, March 2: Paul Collingwood was a relieved man after stroking his maiden Test hundred to revive England in the first Test against India on Thursday. The Durham player smashed 134 not out to help the injury-hit tourists out of a tight spot to 393 all out on day two.

“A great relief,” Collingwood said. “I have been waiting for that for a long time.”

The 29-year-old was dubbed a one-day batsman after playing 85 one-dayers but only five Tests since his debut in 2001. His 118 runs in his first seven Test innings did not help either.

However Thursday’s innings was crucial for England after captain Michael Vaughan and fast bowler Simon Jones were ruled out due to injury and vice-captain Marcus Trescothick pulled out of the match for personal reasons.

“As long as I keep batting like that hopefully I can change people’s minds,” Collingwood told reporters.

Collingwood was a silent hero in last year’s Ashes triumph, sharing in a 60-run partnership with Kevin Pietersen to help draw the final Test to seal a 2-1 series victory after coming on for the injured Jones.

His superb efforts of 96 and 80 in the third Test defeat in Lahore in December then convinced him of his Test credentials.—Reuters