It's a jungle out there

It's been a tough introduction to the England ODI captaincy for Paul Collingwood. Dour defeat to the West Indies before an exultant one against India and then a bump down to earth during the Twenty20 in South Africa.

Over in Sri Lanka, it was a dismal first display in Dambulla. Off the field, Colly has been found in unsatisfactory places in South Africa, while on Asia's teardrop the Durham man has been mixing with all sorts of unsavoury characters.

Writing in a column for fanbanta, Colly has seen the largest ever cockroach, been chased by wild horses, had a bat (flying one) on his shoulder, been followed by a five-foot long snake and been stared at by a potentially poisonous frog.

Word also has it that Colly and co-columnist Ian Bell are being paid per word what it costs to eat breakfast in Sri Lanka. That might mean stretching out a few words to give readers a glimpse of the beauty of the island. Or even using full names. Watch out for full analysis of Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas over the coming weeks.