Streetfighter Collingwood always managed to dodge the Test bullet

Extraordinary not in terms of statistical achievement; going into the final day of the Sydney Test, Collingwood had scored 4,259 runs at 40.25 and captured 17 wickets at 59.88.

But extraordinary in the sense that few players have made as much of limited resources.

For Brigadier Block, as he was affectionately known, was a man who exceeded the sum of his parts.

There were various times over the years when one wondered how Collingwood stayed in the team.

He often seemed one game away from getting the axe only to produce something special in the nick of time.

The career-saving hundred was a Collingwood speciality, fashioned out of nowhere when the chips were down.

That he has gone out on his own terms is quite an achievement given the negativity that surrounded much of his career.

The Sydney Test which marked his farewell was Collingwood's 68th Test appearance.

To put that into context, that is more than those made by such luminaries as Jack Hobbs, Peter May, Ted Dexter, Ray Illingworth and Fred Trueman, who were infinitely superior to the Durham man.

Although a reflection of the amount of Test cricket played in the modern era, Collingwood's appearance tally highlights two things: the lack of viable alternatives in county cricket and a central contracts system that has done little for competition for places.

Under scant pressure from within or outside the England camp, Collingwood has survived for longer than he would in days gone by.

Inevitably, the tributes to Collingwood will be rich and radiant as a fickle media changes its tune.

England's achievement in retaining the Ashes – and, in particular, the outstanding quality of their batting – has glossed over the fact Collingwood has struggled alarmingly for form, meaning the obituaries will be kinder than they might have been.

At the time of writing, Collingwood's return in the series was 83 runs in six innings at 13.83 – figures that are positively Australian-esque.

However, so well have the likes of Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell performed that Collingwood's deficiencies have had little effect.

For all his lack of outstanding ability, Collingwood, the Test player, had several qualities.

He was a streetfighter at heart, which is why he so often saved himself, while his fitness and fielding were second to none.

If a chance flew to Collingwood, you could bet your bottom dollar it would be snaffled with aplomb.

Indeed, the champagne moment of the Ashes was surely Collingwood's breathtaking one-handed slip catch to dismiss Ricky Ponting in Perth – one of the greatest catches you could possibly witness.

One national newspaper claimed yesterday that Collingwood deserved to be remembered for the magnificent catches he had taken for England.

It was intended as a compliment but, when you think about it, was not really a compliment at all as it suggested he did not deserve to be remembered for his batting and bowling.

Perhaps Collingwood's greatest influence was in the dressing room, where he played a major part in cultivating team spirit.

"The part of cricket you don't see is away from the cricket ground," said England wicketkeeper Matt Prior, suggesting Collingwood's greatest contribution was not on the field.

He was undoubtedly valued by England for more than his runs and wickets, which perhaps explains why Anthony McGrath was consistently overlooked a couple of years back. McGrath, indeed, was one of the biggest losers in the Collingwood era, the Yorkshire all-rounder denied the chance to add to the four Test caps he won in 2003 when he was surely deserving of more opportunities.

Attention now turns to who will replace Collingwood at No 6.

At 35, McGrath's day would appear to have gone, although he remains an excellent performer at county level.

Eoin Morgan is currently in the box seat, but the Middlesex batsman is hardly a shoo-in.

Indeed, there would seem no better time for the likes of Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale or Somerset batsman James Hildreth to push themselves forward as they attempt to rise to the highest level.

Gale, in fact, is precisely the sort of nuggety customer who could conceivably fill the Collingwood role, although he is a good deal more talented with the bat.

Collingwood was always at his best in the one-day arena, where he is set to continue for a good while yet.

Last year he led England to Twenty20 glory, while his one-day international record is highly impressive – 4,978 runs at 36.07 to go with 106 wickets at 38.63.

At least he has chosen to end his Test career at the perfect time.

In the words of David Lloyd, the television summariser, Collingwood has been "a yeoman, a stalwart and a grand lad."

Paul Collingwood factfile

Born: May 26, 1976

Birthplace: Shotley Bridge, County Durham

Major teams: England, Durham, Delhi Daredevils

Role: Right-hand batsman, right-arm medium bowler

Test debut: versus Sri Lanka at Galle, 2003

First Test century: 134 not out versus India at Nagpur, 2006

Highest Test score: 206 versus Australia at Adelaide, 2006

Other key Test moments: Scored 74 versus Australia at Cardiff in 2009, helping England draw the first Test of the series – a result that proved crucial to their regaining the Ashes.

Also helped England draw the Cape Town Test of 2010 with a dogged innings of 40.

DISPLAY OF THE DAY

Matt Prior

His 118 added to earlier hundreds from Alistair Cook and Ian Bell helped England to 644 all out – their highest total Down Under and one which made certain of overall series victory.