Trott, the likely choice
Ashwin Achal
25-Feb-2013
Getty Images
Johnathon Trott, the Warwickshire batsman who has scored at an average of 89 in the County Championships this season, looks set to replace Ravi Bopara in the England middle-order, feels Derek Pringle in the Daily Telegraph. Pringle thinks Trott has a touch of Kevin Pietersen in him, a quality badly missed by the hosts.
A squat right-hander, he is aggressive with a penchant for big shots. For that reason, he is likely to bat at four or five depending on Paul Collingwood, the senior batsman in the middle order.
He also has a temper, though this is said to have ameliorated in the past year. His resolve will be tested and not just by the ball as the Aussies ramp up the bluster in the belief that the Ashes could be settled should England have another calamitous session like the one that befell them at Headingley, where they lurched to 72 for six on the first morning.
In the Independent, Stephen Brenkley thinks that though the call for Mark Ramprakash's return has gripped the nation, his runs scored for Surrey in the second division is no preparation for an Ashes Test. Brenkley, while stating that Trott is the likely choice for the selectors, feels that Robert Key might be best available choice.
Mike Atherton, in the Times, writes that there might be some merit in giving Ravi Bopara another shot. He even discusses the positives of Robert Key as an experienced batsman, but finally falls in line with most British newspapers in agreeing that Trott is the likely choice.
Either way, his (Ramprakash) return would present a problem for them: if he plays, and does well, then legitimate questions would be asked of a selection panel that has ignored England’s best-oiled run machine for years; if he does badly, they will be accused of caving in to media pressure. Picking the best XI to win a match is the requirement, of course, but a bit of back-covering is likely. It may be that Ramprakash has matured mentally — who doesn’t? — while retaining a remarkable fitness and appetite for runs. Just don’t expect the selectors to want to find out.