Andy Flower feels ECB Cricketer of the Year Jonathan Trott is still unfairly criticised for his scoring rate in all formats.
England boss dumbfounded that number three still faces criticism
England manager Andy Flower feels Jonathan Trott is still unfairly criticised for his scoring rate in all formats.
The prolific number three batsman, who made a man-of-the-match double-hundred in a first-Test win over Sri Lanka in Cardiff, was last night named as the ECB men's cricketer of the year.
Trott returns to one of his happiest hunting grounds on Friday as the second Test against Sri Lanka gets underway at Lord's.
Ahead of that clash, the Warwickshire right-hander - whose previous two Test visits to Lord's have resulted in 226, 184 and a mere 36 not out - was also given a glowing testimony by England coach Andy Flower on Tuesday.
If there have been any qualms about a batsman with a current Test batting average second only to the peerless Don Bradman, among those who have played as many or more matches, it is his scoring rate in all formats. But Flower is not among the doubters.
"Trott, since he was introduced to this side, has averaged - I'm not sure what - but I think it's above 60 in Test cricket," Flower stated.
"He has been a very solid man to have in our side.
Unfair
"I know he's been criticised for his strike rate in one-day cricket. I think in most cases that has been unfair."
Trott's latest substantial knock, 203 at the SWALEC Stadium, came sufficiently rapidly for England to close out victory in that opening Test despite persistent Welsh rain and a Sri Lanka first-innings total of 400.
"Certainly I thought this was a superb innings by him - patient, efficient, and he put the bad balls away," added Flower.
"He set the tone not only for this game but the series and, we hope, batting for the summer.
"Any criticism of him in this instance is unfounded."
Flower did though acknowledge that he wants a batting line-up of players at his disposal who can change the tempo as required.
"I think everyone should be able to adjust their games according to the needs of that situation," he added.
"In Test cricket, there is usually quite a simple formula. In limited-overs cricket it becomes much more complicated, where you have to be a better judge of the game situation and then play accordingly.
"Test cricket is about staying in long enough to score heavy runs, and the run rate is less significant than in limited-overs cricket.
"Of course everyone has to be adaptable, and we want complete players that can adapt."
Finn set for recall
On Tuesday England called up Surrey swing bowler Jade Dernbach to replace the injured James Anderson, in a squad of 12 for Lord's, but Flower intimated Steven Finn, close to a Test return in Cardiff, is the front-runner for a place.
"Finn looks good to me," he said. "He looks like he's got his rhythm back, which he lost in Australia.
"He has done some really good work with Richard Johnson at Middlesex and Gus Fraser - the two guys that know him very well.
"He has also done good work with (England Lions bowling coach) Kevin Shine, and those guys have helped him get back on track.
"Physically, he looks big and strong now - less like a boy and more like a man - and he is bowling with genuine pace.
"I caught a few balls with the mitt, and he is bowling quick.
"We will have a decision to make on which bowler to leave out, and it won't be an easy one. But he's got a very good chance of playing at Lord's."
