Arthur frustrated by Trott

Proteas coach understands Harmison omission

Last updated: 12th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Arthur frustrated by Trott

Arthur: opinionated

He wouldn't be in our top six at the moment because our line-up is settled and has a lot of steel but he'd be there or thereabouts.

Mickey Arthur
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The sight of Jonathan Trott in an England shirt is a source of frustration for South Africa coach Mickey Arthur.

Trott was born and raised in South Africa and represented the Proteas at youth level.

But he left the country of his birth to join Warwickshire in 2002 and has always been eligible for England due to a British passport, which he qualifies for via his English grandparents.

The 28-year-old made his England Test debut last August against Australia, scoring a century to help regain the Ashes, and is now part of the squad touring South Africa.

"It does (frustrate) a little bit, to be honest," Arthur told The Wisden Cricketer magazine.

"He wouldn't be in our top six at the moment because our line-up is settled and has a lot of steel but he'd be there or thereabouts.

"Hats off to him; he's gone away and forged a successful career for himself."

Onions praise

Arthur has also been impressed by England seamer Graham Onions, who he believes can make up for the absence of Steve Harmison - although he revealed some of his players were happy they will not have to face Onions' Durham team-mate.

"Graham Onions impressed us in the Champions Trophy," added Arthur. "He is almost a like-for-like replacement for Harmison.

"Harmy would have been a handful and a lot of our batters are happy he's not coming.

"But I can see how (England coach) Andy Flower and (captain) Andrew Strauss are thinking.

"Harmison's obviously not in their planning for the Ashes next year so they might as well expose someone like Onions to what will be as tough a tour, if not tougher, as what they will experience Down Under.

"England seem to have something quite nice going. It reminds me a bit of where we were two years ago.

"They've looked at the brand of cricket they want to play, backed a couple of players and also swept clean a bit.

"They're going about it the right way. The leadership was exceptional during the Ashes. They look like a well-settled unit."

Comments (9)

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Matt Gibbison says...

Another one may have slipped through the nets is Somerset's Wicketkeeper, Craig Kieswetter, he is another South African going to play for England soon.

Posted 12:46 14th November 2009

Daren Whittle says...

Quota system is good in SA. look at the likes of AMLA, NTini

Posted 12:44 13th November 2009

Seth Bouah says...

Pieterson made himself into a good player, before he left SA he was 3rd choice in KZN. Good on him Trott we will still see. I don't rate him higher than ANY of SA's current top 5. Good luck to him. as the saying goes, when 1 door closes another opens

Posted 19:11 12th November 2009

Martin Brown says...

Regarding this qoata system... I just feel that people like Amla and co are good enough to play in the S A team and would have found their way into the set up anyhow, what is undeniable is the fact that S A have lost what looks like two world class cricketers in Pieterson and Trott... how many more have slipped through the net?

Posted 17:07 12th November 2009

Scott Stephens says...

Re Rafeeq what ever happend to working hard and being good enough to play for your country, thats what upsets so many players, that they are behind others that are not good enough to play, a quota system only stops those that are good enough to play for their country.

Posted 14:53 12th November 2009

Rafeeq Cariem says...

At Craig Ryan....do you know why there is a qoata system? In our country its there to give every race a chance for them to represent their country.

Posted 13:48 12th November 2009

Michael Dahn says...

Hear what you say Craig, however Kevin Petersen was 3rd in the Natal pecking order behind .. ..... Lance Klusener and Shaun Polloock when he decided to leave. As for Mr Trott, fair play, he didn' t think he had a shot in the SA team, and he probably still doesn't, but hopefully he will come right and we'll have a good competitive tour.

Posted 13:44 12th November 2009

Dathai Quinlan says...

If it frustrates him, imagine us irish cricket fans who have to watch our best players (Joyce, Morgan) go play for England as opposed to someone who would've been on the fringes of our squad.

Posted 13:39 12th November 2009

Craig Ryan says...

I think Trott will do well out in SA. I think the South African Cricket Board needs to look at itself & why they let Trott & Pietersen slip through the net. i think the qoata system is ricdualas.

Posted 12:57 12th November 2009
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