Strauss reins in Trott hype
ENGLAND skipper Andrew Strauss has attempted to ease the pressure on batsman Jonathan Trott to replicate his eye-catching performances each time he steps up to the crease.
Trott’s latest impressive display came in Sunday’s seven-wicket victory over South Africa, when the Warwickshire man bludgeoned 87 in only his second one-day international. That followed an equally dazzling showing on his Test debut, when the 28-year-old’s century helped England claim the Ashes series-clinching fifth match.
But while he has been won over by Trott’s form, Strauss emphasised the need to temper expectations so early in his international career.
“We had no worries about him opening the batting – he’s done it a lot for Warwickshire and is a quality player all round,” said Strauss.
“He’s a very determined character, there’s no doubt about that. He loves batting, genuinely loves it – and allied to that, he’s got a very solid technique which is well-suited to the international game.
“We don’t want to put too much pressure on him. It is very early in his career, and he’s shown he’s got great ability – but we shouldn’t expect great things of him every time he goes into bat.”
South Africa-born Trott, meanwhile, admits Friday’s third ODI of the five-match series in his native Cape Town will stir emotions.
“It being in Cape Town adds a little edge to it for me,” he said. “But I’m going to have to put the emotions of coming back here to one side to make sure they don’t play any role in the decisions I make on the field.”
South Africa captain Graeme Smith, meanwhile, has called up batsman Herschelle Gibbs as cover for the injured Jacques Kallis.