Cricket is still the gentleman’s game – and it something that we must never allow to disappear from the game yesterday.

When Paul Collingwood left the field at Edgebaston yesterday he received a standing ovation from the crowd, and every South African player on the field went up to him to shake his hand.

A recognition of an innings that potentially saved his team, especially considering he was badly out of form and being lambasted by the press.

You rarely see that same kind of recognition in other sports (particularly from the opposition). I think rugby perhaps has its own way of acknowledging strong performances with gestures at the bottom of the ruck but I can never recall a single instance where a hockey or football player has made the effort to go up to an opponent after the game and shake their hand.

Well done to the Edgebaston crowd for acknowledging an heroic innings from Collingwood. Well done to the South African cricketers who, despite realising that Collingwood had made their lives tough, still had the courtesy to acknowledge his efforts.

And of course – well done to Collingwood – glad you got some form back!