Collingwood neck injury will not need surgery

The England all-rounder Paul Collingwood will not undergo surgery next week after responding well to treatment for a neck injury.

The Durham player was due to have an operation next week on a disc bulge at the bottom of his neck which is causing problems in his left arm. His course of medication, however, appears to be working and a decision has been taken to postpone surgery pending reassessment by a specialist in a week's time.

Collingwood, who featured in all seven of England's NatWest Series matches this summer, was recently named in the squad for the Champions Trophy this autumn. With a lengthy injury list already, England will be anxious not to lose a player central to their World Cup plans for September's tournament in Sri Lanka.

The organisers of next year's World Cup in South Africa believe it will be almost impossible for anyone to breach security and encroach on to the playing area. Their confidence is based on what they call field perimeter security systems, popularly known as the "moat", which consists mainly of a steel frame supporting a tangle of web netting.

Reports that moats would be dug around the grounds and filled with water are incorrect, say tournament organisers.

* Devastating batting from Younis Khan and Abdur Razzaq followed ensured Pakistan a 28-run victory against Sri Lanka in the second match of the Morocco Cup triangular tournament in Tangiers yesterday. Khan hammered an unbeaten 56 from 39 balls while Razzaq was even more ruthless, smashing 29 from 11 as they pushed Pakistan's total to 279 for 5 from their 50 overs. In reply Sri Lanka were restricted to 251 for 8 and they now face an awkward game against South Africa today.