PAUL COLLINGWOOD has admitted he does not want to bat at seven for England, despite drawing some longawaited confidence following his demotion down the order in Wednesday’s 21-run win in the fourth one-day international against Australia in Adelaide.

The veteran right-hander hit a run-a-ball 27 after his arrival in the late overs allowed him the chance to play with a freedom he has seldom displayed so far during a miserable tour with the bat.

Collingwood has averaged just 13.3 against Australia this winter, while his innings on Wednesday was the first time he had scored above 20 since the second Ashes Test, which was also in Adelaide, almost two months ago.

That run of form has seen Collingwood pushed out of the top-six during the current one-day series, which England trail 3-1, and potentially leave him relying on his medium pace to earn a place in the first- team ahead of the World Cup.

It is a situation that Collingwood is not completely comfortable with, due to ambition rather than discord, as he aims to prove his worth as a batsman first and foremost.

Asked if he could see himself batting at seven in the long-term, he replied: ‘‘Hopefully not. Hopefully I can get back into better form and gradually get back up the order.

‘‘It is disappointing to go down to number seven but we have a number of guys who are in good form.

‘‘The ideal thing for me would to go back up the order, but whatever way you can contribute to England winning you go out there and do it.

‘‘I’m the first to admit that I haven’t been in great form and that’s my role (as a batsman) in the side. I’m trying every possible way to get back into good nick.

‘‘I guess I was just happy to be in the side with the way that the form has been going with that bat.

‘‘I feel as though I can do a fifth bowler role, I have done in the past. I’m just happy to be in the side and contributing well.’’ On Wednesday Collingwood showed a glimpse of the form that has deserted him during the tour, most notably latching on to a characteristic heaved six over mid-wicket off Brett Lee.

The 34-year-old, who became the first England batsman to reach 5,000 one-day international runs during the innings, believes it is shots such as that which could inspire a turnaround in his fortunes.

‘‘Things like that (six off Lee) can click you back into form. I know from past experience that getting back into a good run of form can be pretty immediate,’’ he added.

‘‘I tried to resort to my strengths going to the leg-side and thankfully it worked for a couple of shots.

‘‘It was a good situation to go in. I had to be pretty positive, I had to make sure I got myself in to begin with and then free the arms a little bit.

I was quite happy.

‘‘Confidence is a huge factor, all the things that you take into your batting is very mental.

‘‘Hopefully there will be less tension going out into the middle next time around and more confidence and that can do me the world of good.

‘‘Maybe after an innings like yesterday when I hit a couple out of the middle of the bat it might just click.

‘‘I’m really confident it is just around the corner.’’ While Collingwood is focused on his batting concerns, the England management will be pleased he has maintained his canny knack with the ball after claiming the wicket of Australia’s Michael Clarke on Wednesday.

Collingwood’s medium pace could become an important part of England’s attack on the sub-continent, especially with Michael Yardy struggling for form so far in this series, and he admits he may have an important role to play.

‘‘My bowling can be handy depending on how the wickets are playing. I guess I can go the seam-up option or bowl the cutters,’’ he said.

‘‘The options are there. I’d like to think I can do the fifth bowler role.’’ For now Collingwood is focused on trying to help his side remain alive in the current seven-game series against Australia after their must-win victory.

That success followed three defeats that had bore the hallmarks of a side struggling to retain focus after their Ashes success.