England's Collingwood to quit tests after Ashes

England's Paul Collingwood bowls in the nets during a team practice session at the Sydney Cricket Ground January 2, 2011.

SYDNEY (Reuters) - England's Paul Collingwood announced his retirement from test cricket after the ongoing fifth Ashes test on Thursday, but said he would continue as Twenty20 captain and in the one-day team.

The 34-year-old has scored 4,259 runs at an average of 40.56 and taken 17 wickets in 68 matches since his test debut against Sri Lanka in December 2003 but has struggled with the bat on the current tour.

Averaging just 15.54 over his last 10 tests and 13.83 in the Ashes series, the popular right hander said it was time to give younger players a chance.

"Representing England at test level has always been a dream of mine and I've been fortunate enough to have enjoyed some amazing highs throughout my test career," Collingwood said in an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) news release.

"I'mproud of the fact that I've always given my all for the England test team but I feel that this is the right time to leave test cricket having reached some very special achievements, none more satisfying that retaining the Ashes in Australia.

"Clearly I still feel I have a huge amount to offer England in terms of limited overs cricket and I'm looking forward to the opportunity tocontinueleading the Twenty20 squad and playing a significant role in England's ODI team."

Although his performances with the bat have been sub-par in the series, Collingwood has taken some key catches with his athletic fielding and bowled Australian danger man Mike Hussey out on Tuesday. (Editing by Peter Rutherford)