DURHAM remain uncertain about Paul Collingwood’s long-term plans following his announcement that he has retired from Test cricket.

Coach Geoff Cook, who is currently with some young Durham players in Dubai, said: “I’ve sent him a text, but we haven’t spoken about what his plans are. He obviously has a few decisions to make.

“Hopefully we will sit down after the World Cup and talk about things. Over the last five years he has probably played no more 12 days’ cricket for us, and in that situation it’s difficult for anyone to come back into a team.

“But relations never broke down and we are always happy to see him.”

After the one-day series in Australia, the England players are scheduled to have only six days at home before flying out for the World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

But Collingwood has permission to extend his stay because his wife, Vicky, is expecting their third child.

After the World Cup he is likely to make his third visit to the Indian Premier League.

He barely featured in his first season with Delhi Daredevils, but last year he played seven innings for them and averaged 29 with a healthy strike rate of 130.

Collingwood should receive confirmation that he is again required when the IPL auction is held this weekend, in which he is the only Durham player involved.

The IPL programme begins on the same day as the County Championship, April 8, and the final is on May 22.

In 2009 Collingwood appeared only in one Twenty20 match for Durham, while last year he featured in one championship game and two T20 matches, but managed only one innings.

He scored 12 in the four-day match at home to Lancashire and impressed with his bowling in T20 games against Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

The former was washed out before Durham got to the crease and in the latter they scored 225 for two then Collingwood took four for 13 in a 71-run win.

Prior to his 206 against Australia at Adelaide four years ago, Collingwood’s highest score was 190 for Durham against Sri Lanka on the occasion of Phil Mustard’s debut.

They shared a big stand and Collingwood became an instant fan of the wicketkeeper, but he could not have imagined that he might one day play under Mustard’s captaincy.