Wednesday 18th November 2009
Trott hails tourists' depth
Jonathan Trott says England's win over South Africa A without key players showed the depth that is available within the squad.
The Warwickshire batsman was named man of the match after hitting 74 in Potchefstoom to help his side seal a four-wicket win, but the victory looks a more impressive one if the growing injury list is considered.
Alastair Cook, Paul Collingwood (both back), James Anderson (knee), Graeme Swann (intercostal muscle) and Stuart Broad (shoulder) were all carrying knocks leaving the tourists with just 11 fit players.
Bowling coach Ottis Gibson was called upon at one stage for 12th man duty, but it did not deter England from chasing down a tricky 280 victory target set by South Africa's second string.
Trott said: "It just goes to show how strong our squad is. If anybody is called upon it just goes to show that whoever it is, they can do a job for the side."
The 28-year-old was not the only player to shine on a cold and gloomy day at Senwes Park after half-centuries from Andrew Strauss (65) and Matt Prior (54) also helped the cause after the home side made 279 for nine, thanks largely to Andrew Puttick (62).
England looked in trouble at 165 for four with just over 16 overs to go but a 66-run partnership between Trott and Prior kept them in the mix and Luke Wright (25 not out) took them over the line with 11 balls to spare.
Trott continued: "I think it was a nicely measured innings from us. Andrew Strauss set it up nicely at the beginning and along with Joe Denly gave us a good start.
"I then came in and sort of got going. There was then a little period where the guys came in, getting themselves in and then getting themselves out unfortunately.
"But Matt Prior came in and played an awesome innings - I just batted around him and then Luke Wright came in and played his part, the way we know he can, and we got ourselves home."
Trott also hailed the decision between himself and Prior to delay the powerplay and take it with seven overs and 64 still remaining.
He added: "I think what happened was that we had the powerplay at hand and we took it at the right time.
"Matt and I discussed it out there and I think we got it spot on. At one stage it was around eight and we've won by two overs, so it was a good effort."
He revealed England were spurred on to victory by the memory of their 84-run demolition at the hands of the senior Proteas side in the second Twenty20 international last weekend.
He said: "After the Twenty20 we were disappointed because we didn't play as well as we know we can.
"It was important that we came here with sort of our chests out and taking this game head-on, which we've done.
"That's very pleasing and we can now go back to the Wanderers full of confidence and really take on the South Africans."
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