Collingwood hoping for momentum before Ashes

Paul Collingwood feels it is crucial that England ends the ongoing Test campaign on a high to carry the momentum ahead of the Ashes series.

The hosts are 1-0 up in the series and meet West Indies at the Riverside in the last Test outing before the first of five matches against Australia.

If England manages to avoid the defeat, it will recapture the Wisden Trophy following its loss in the Caribbean during winter and will continue its improved run since the dramatic loss in the opening Test in Jamaica in February.

"It's been a difficult winter with certain issues that have gone on but I think the way we bounced back - certainly from the Jamaica Test - I don't think you could have asked the side to do it any better," Collingwood was quoted as saying.

He said that the side is brimming with confidence and the team is advancing in the right direction.

?Confidence at the moment is sky high, we are developing all the time as a team and we are moving in the right direction.?

"This is our last Test match before the Ashes and we know that confidence and winning formulas and momentum are huge to go into the series."

England goes into Thursday's Test with Collingwood and Graham Onions playing on their county territory at The Riverside.

And after paceman Onions' seven wickets on debut, Collingwood is predicting a bright future for him.
He added: "Graham Onions has made a fantastic start.?

?Obviously we are not going to get too carried away but I'm sure it will be a very special occasion for him to come out here and play for England,? he added.