Trott content at the top

Versatile England batsman happy to open up at Newlands

By Joe Drabble   Last updated: 24th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Trott content at the top

Trott: Happy to muck in

If they see me as an opener, which I've done for Warwickshire for the last two seasons, then great.

Jonathan Trott
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England's Jonathan Trott has told coach Andy Flower he is more than happy to remain at the top of the order for the third one-day international against South Africa.

The versatile right-hander pressed home his claims for a regular opening berth with a classy 87 during England's victory over the Proteas in the second ODI at Centurion on Sunday.

Trott, who shared a match-winning 162 partnership with Paul Collingwood at SuperSport Park, opens the batting in limited-overs cricket for county Warwickshire and may be called upon to do so once more in Cape Town on Friday.

He said: "I've told Andy (Flower) I'll bat where it is needed or where it is best for the team.

"If they see me as an opener, which I've done for Warwickshire for the last two seasons, then great.

Experience

"I like the position and enjoyed batting there Sunday - and hope I can do well again in the future, if called upon to be an opener."

A back injury to recognised Test match opener Alastair Cook has also sparked suggestions that Trott may be required to fill in at the top of the order during the upcoming Test series.

Cook is expected to prove his fitness by that stage, and Trott has admitted that role may be a step too far considering his limited Test match experience.

"I wouldn't like to say I'm a Test opener," he said. "I haven't really opened (in first-class cricket) in my life before - I'm a number four.

"I've always batted in the middle order, so I've never really seen myself as an opener.

"I've only played one Test match. But again, whatever they ask me to do I'm more than happy to do."

Strengths

Wherever he bats, Trott is relishing future opportunities to team up with Centurion man-of-the-match Collingwood, who marked his England record 171st ODI appearance with an outstanding all-round performance.

"He was very calm and had a good influence on our partnership, with regard to his coolness and the way he operates - and he knows when to take a calculated risk," Trott added.

"It was nice to watch from the bowler's end. You can learn a lot to use for the future.

"In the middle, you bounce ideas off each other and the more you play, the more you get to understand each other's games.

"The more I play with the likes of Paul, the more they'll understand where my strengths are and be able to confirm what options you take are good ones against a certain bowler.

"It's stuff we discuss outside games, in meetings and practice. But it's always good to get a bit of confirmation from your partner."