Collingwood set for Ashes tour role

Royal recognition for his role in England's 2005 Ashes win famously irked Shane Warne, and now Paul Collingwood could be a thorn in Australia's side again next summer.

Reports in England suggest Collingwood is set to be signed on to England's backroom staff for the 2017-18 Ashes series, with a possible long-term view to taking over the head coach role.

England players received an open-top bus ride through the streets of London and were named Members of the Order of British Empire by Queen Elizabeth following the 2005 Ashes triumph that ended 18 years of Australian domination of the contest.

Collingwood was included in the festivities, to the chagrin of Warne after the Durham product played only the final Test of the series, scoring 7 and 10 at The Oval.

In the next series, which Australia won in a 5-0 whitewash in 2006-07, Warne had long-running verbal battles with Collingwood about the award, even as the Englishman scored a double-century in Adelaide.

Image Id: 100F16D4785E4DCBA21682EA33090B4B Image Caption: Warne exchanges words with Collingwood in Sydney // Getty

The Telegraph UK reported England's Ashes planning was well advanced, with Collingwood set to be a key component of the backroom staff.

A brilliant fielder, and 68 Test veteran with experience of two Ashes tours, Collingwood would be a valuable experienced head for England's players to call upon.

An ECB spokesperson said no appointment had been officially made.

Collingwood, who turns 41 next month, is still an active player and is currently in action for English county side Durham in their Division Two match against Gloucestershire, and scored 97 overnight.

England coach, the Australian Trevor Bayliss, is contracted until the end of the 2019 World Cup. 

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May 8: Tickets on sale to the general public

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2017-18 International Fixtures:

Men's Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night)

Third Test Perth TBC, December 14-18

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test)

ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14

Second ODI Gabba, January 19

Third ODI SCG, January 21

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2

T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21