BIRMINGHAM, Aug 2: Paul Collingwood savoured on Friday the unbeaten century which kept England in the third Test against South Africa and almost certainly saved his Test career.

Before the match Collingwood had not scored a Test century in 13 months and had scored fewer than 100 runs in first-class innings this season.

At the close of the third day he was 101 not out after reaching his sixth Test century with a six.

“I haven’t scored the runs so far this season in Test cricket so of course I felt under pressure,” Collingwood, who was dropped for the second Test, told a news conference.

“Not so much pressure from outside but pressure knowing that I haven’t contributed and I felt as though I have let the team down. That is how I have felt these last few months so today was very special.”

Collingwood said the six off left-arm spinner Paul Harris which took him to his century had been inspired by advice from captain Michael Vaughan.

“Vaughany said before I went out ‘don’t be reckless but be aggressive’. When I am taking the bowlers on that is when I am at my best.”

South Africa coach Mickey Arthur said his team had held a meeting in the dressing room after the day’s play to discuss what had gone wrong and how they had allowed England to escape.

He said he felt the bowlers had shown signs of fatigue and also forgotten to implement their plans.

“It was very, very disappointing and simply wasn’t good enough, unfortunately,” Arthur said. “We have got that out of the way in the dressing room. The disappointment in the dressing room was tangible.”

“What we saw today were guys who were completely knackered. The guys’ heads did drop slightly and we lost some energy.

“We have a gift in the morning and that is the new ball and it is up to us to make sure we use it right.”—Reuters