Collingwood's relief

"It's a massive vote of confidence, simple as that," he said. "Things have not gone too well for me over the last two or three months, but it's a big relief and a great feeling to be involved with this squad."

But Collingwood warned that people should not expect him to step into Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff's shoes.

There is speculation that 28-year-old Collingwood has been included in case of injury to Flintoff, but he said: "I think I'm there because of my experience and to cover a few different roles.

"I know I can do a job as a batsman, but the England management are always encouraging me to work on my bowling and I would be comfortable with the all-rounder's job.

"But I hope people don't expect me to do what Freddie does. He's probably the best cricketer in the world at the moment. He's pure entertainment.

"His power is frightening and he has had to learn to restrain himself because he can hit any ball out of the ground. He has got to know his own game better than he used to and plays within his bubble.

"He's great for the game because everybody wants to watch him, and Steve Harmison has also been phenomenal because people want to watch bowlers operating at 90mph.

"It's a hard side to break into, but it's very exciting just to be involved with them. I have been a bit worried over the last few weeks when I haven't been able to do anything because of my knee injury."

Collingwood's central contract has not been renewed and he said: "It's a bit disappointing. It means I miss out a bit financially, but that's no concern. It's a great consolation to be in the tour squad.

"I wouldn't say it was my own fault that I haven't had the opportunities to prove I was worth a contract. People can judge me when I have had the opportunities and I have to make sure I'm ready to grab them when they arise like Andrew Strauss and Rob Key have done.

"I did OK in my two Tests in Sri Lanka last winter and was very close to being in the side against New Zealand, so things could have turned out differently. In the last two months I haven't even been in the squad, so it's a big relief to get the nod."

Collingwood suffered a knee injury playing for Durham against Yorkshire in June and carried it throughout the one-day NatWest Series against New Zealand and the West Indies.

He returned to play for Durham, scoring 322 championship runs at an average of 29.3, but any bang on the knee caused it to swell up again so he has taken the last two weeks off to work on his fitness.

"I'll definitely be ready for the first one-dayer against India next week," he said. "Everything has been geared to that and the knee has settled down well.

"We're due to go to Zimbabwe for a one-day series in November, then on to South Africa. I was there for the World Cup last year and played one winter in Johannesburg in 1999/2000.

"It's an exceptional place to play cricket. It will be tough because they are a good side, but England are playing so well we are now ranked second and they are third, so it's set up superbly."

Chairman of selectors David Graveney said: ''It's his flexibility that got him his selection.

''The people you choose as back-up players, it's very important you choose the right sort of character that can step up at a moment's notice and it's that reason we've gone with Paul Collingwood.

''We have a very high regard for him as a person and a cricketer and that's the reason why we've gone down that route.

''We had to choose two out of three for the batting positions and Paul Collingwood was a bit more flexible. Ian Bell will be disappointed, but we've had some tough decisions to make because we have a lot of people challenging for positions.''

Bell himself added: ''I am a little disappointed - who wouldn't be? But it's not too bad, because I sort of expected it. There are a lot of senior England players, and it is good to have competition for places.

''I back myself (to get into future squads), because I believe I am a good player.''

Collingwood is one of only four players selected who did not feature in the 4-0 whitewash over West Indies with Butcher, Nottinghamshire wicketkeeper Chris Read and Worcestershire off-spinner Gareth Batty all earning recalls.

Coach Duncan Fletcher has also won his battle with the England and Wales Cricket Board finance department and extended the number of 12-month central contracts from eight to 12 this year with captain Michael Vaughan, James Anderson, Butcher, Ashley Giles, Flintoff, Matthew Hoggard, Steve Harmison, Geraint Jones, Simon Jones, Graham Thorpe and Marcus Trescothick the beneficiaries