Flower praises fighting spirit of 'bulldog' Collingwood

Collingwood was one of three players who covered themselves in glory as England somehow clung on with nine wickets down, for the second time in three matches, to deny their hosts victory in the third Test at Newlands.

Ian Bell and No 11 Graham Onions, reprising his central role to block out the final over just as he had in the first Test at Centurion, were the others who served their country so well yesterday.

Coach Flower was full of admiration as he reflected on England's winter achievements so far, and set his sights on finishing the job in the final Test in Johannesburg next week.

After their victory in Durban over Christmas, England are in an unbeatable position – 1-0 up in the series, with one match to play.

But Flower insisted: "We're not thinking about the fact we can't lose it.

"We want to win it and we'd like to win it 2-0."

To that end, he is delighted to have Collingwood et al on his side.

"He's a typical British bulldog," Flower said of the Durham batsman, who shared a century stand with Bell to keep South Africa at bay for 57 overs and buy Onions just enough time for his heroic repeat to again save the day.

"He's a great fighter, great to have in the changing room, lots of energy and what we have seen is he's been using some of the experience gained over the years to help him through these situations.

"We want to go on to greater things with this England side, so we're happy to have fight as a characteristic in our dressing room."

South Africa yesterday called uncapped pair Wayne Parnell and Imran Tahir into their 15-man squad as they bid to square the series in the final Test against England in Johannesburg.

Former Pakistan A leg-spinner Tahir performed disastrously during a solitary match for Yorkshire in 2007.

Drafted in especially for the County Championship relegation battle against Sussex at Hove, he returned figures of 37-2-141-0 as Yorkshire were crushed by an innings and 261 runs.

But the Pakistani fared much better during two subsequent seasons with Hampshire, claiming 96 first-class wickets in 17 matches at 25.46.