PAUL Collingwood will fulfill a lifetime ambition when he walks out to bat for England today - as long as the weather doesn't intervene again.

The Durham all-rounder was part of the England side that took on India at the Riverside in July 2002 but, after claiming the wicket of Rahul Dravid as the tourists raced to 285-4, Collingwood was kept in the pavilion as rain prevented the home side completing their reply.

The Shotley Bridge-born star will get another chance to bat on his home ground when England take on New Zealand in a floodlit one-day international at the Riverside today.

And, after the disappointment of two years ago, Collingwood is desperate to make a winning return to the North-East.

"Of course it means more playing for England here," said the 28-year-old, who will make his 49th one-day international appearance this afternoon.

"It's great to play on your home ground at any time - to play there for England is extra special.

"Going out there to represent your country with three lions on your shirt is a great experience.

"There's a real buzz around the place. The ground's looking absolutely fantastic, the wicket's looking good, and all the players are looking forward to it.

"Just having England here playing in front of this crowd should give everybody a lift.

"It's going to be a sell-out. Hopefully we'll get the weather for it, and then we'll go out there and perform like we know we can do."

Today's game has taken on added importance after England slumped to a seven-wicket defeat to the West Indies on Sunday that left them stranded at the bottom of the NatWest Series table.

Collingwood made just five as Michael Vaughan's side crumbled to 147 all out and, with one-day runs proving particularly hard to come by at the Riverside this year, the Durham star admits that England cannot afford to be as profligate again.

"It's a big game for us now," he admitted. "We got beat on Sunday, but this is an opportunity for us to bounce back straight away.

"We've got to hold our hands up and admit that we didn't get the total on the board that we would have liked.

"The ball nipped around a bit and they got it in good areas at times. We edged a few and it was disappointing that we didn't get the score above 200.

"We've got points on the board from the washout, but we need a win to get us going.

"A win would build some confidence, but we need a good performance as well."

Provided that both Collingwood and Stephen Harmison are selected, today's game will be the first in which two Durham players have represented England at the Riverside.

Collingwood's failure to make the recent Test squad has made him something of a Riverside regular this season, but Harmison's winter exploits in the Caribbean mean he has not played on his home ground for more than 10 months.

"I'm just hoping that everyone still recognises who Steve is because he hasn't been here for such a long time," joked Collingwood.

"But I'm sure everybody's been watching what he's been doing over the winter months, and I'm sure they'll give him a good round of applause when he comes walking out. He deserves it."

Harmison's last appearance at the Riverside saw him record career best limited overs figures of 4-43 against Sussex Sharks on August 26.

That was also in a floodlit game, and the Ashington Express is hoping for similar joy today.

"I hope it's a good omen," said Harmison. "It's a long time since I've played at the Riverside and I've missed playing in front of the fans.

"It would have been great to play for Durham after the winter to thank the fans and coach for their support, but playing at the Riverside for England is always special."