“[Sunday's play] ended a dreadful series for Pietersen – though Strauss, Jonathan Trott and Matt Prior have fared equally poorly with the bat” – BBC match report. Hmmm. And what do those four have in common?
Saturday, November 7, 2009
“Jonathan Trott does not hang around. It took him one game to establish himself in England’s Test side. Now an innings of 85 in England”s tour-opening victory over Diamond Eagles will establish him in England’s 50-over team, perhaps as an opener” – The start of a Daily Telegraph match report on yesterday’s warm-up match in South Africa.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
“People seem to have got themselves into all sorts of a tangle about this, and have ended up talking the kind of baloney you might hear on a late-night local radio phone-in show. One national daily was even asked ‘Can Jonathan Trott be English if he’s never read Viz?’, which, even by the standards of the UK citizenship test, is a mind-boggling way to go about judging national affiliation” – Andy Bull writes in The Guardian in defence of Jonathan Trott and England’s other imports.
“The selection of Jonathan Trott after much fevered speculation proved an excellent decision. He immediately had that look about him of being comfortable at the highest level, and could prove to be a more stubborn version of Kevin Pietersen. I suppose you might wish Trott was a bit more English, but after such a brilliant debut it appeared we had found another high-quality batsman” – The lesser-reported bit of Michael Vaughan’s remarks about Trott.
“It’s something you work towards your whole life – since the age of three, with my dad in the nets. Everyone’s played their part in getting me here. Every stage has been a stepping stone to this, and I’m just chuffed to be here. The selectors showed huge faith in me, and I’m pleased to be able to reward them” – Jonathan Trott on his maiden century in his maiden test.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
“Strauss is England’s leading run scorer in this series and their only centurion. This would be the perfect time to add to that tally, and with Jonathan Trott looking solid during a highly pressurised final few overs on Friday night, England have the chance to build on the brilliance of Stuart Broad’s devastating second day spell” – Fifth Ashes Test day three preview in The Telegraph.
“Ravi’s omission means Jonathan Trott will make his Test debut at the Brit Oval. Having been part of the squad at Headingley, he was the next batsman in line in our view and this rewards him for the excellent form he has shown in county cricket both this summer and with England Lions over the winter. Ian Bell will bat at three next week which is a position he has occupied for England before” – ECB national selector Geoff Miller on the squad that will face Australia at The Oval.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
“England are set to take a major gamble in the crucial fifth Ashes Test by replacing Ravi Bopara with the uncapped Jonathan Trott. Ian Bell, whose position in the side has also been under threat, is poised to keep his place and move up the batting order to number three” – BBC Sport gazes into a crystal ball that seems to be shared by most cricketing correspondents.
Cricket Blips: England feed