JONATHAN TROTT'S ON

IT IS always good be at a cricket ground, or watching on television, when a new face emerges from the pack of talented players hoping to be stars.

I saw one in this Oval Test who is a fine batsman in the making.

It was great to see Jonathan Trott batting in both innings and making a century on his Test debut.

He clearly has a splendid temperament and excellent footwork.

Right from the start of his first innings Trott was assured, playing off either front or back foot.

With this experience behind him he looks an outstanding prospect for England, preferably batting at number four.

Now, with two days to play, England should win this Test and regain the Ashes.

Watching at the Oval yesterday the pitch wasn't aiding Australia's bowlers, but you can expect the opposite when England get to work.

I was pleased to see Stuart Broad do well. He will be a vital player for England, but he may need to change his thinking a little.

At the moment Broad seems to regard himself as likely to be dropped if the selectors want to make any change in the bowling attack.. or if the media speculate.

This leads him to try to take a wicket every ball - an admirable trait, but a dangerous one as well because desperation to stay in the attack, often leads to inaccuracy.

Planning should be over a longer period before the trap is sprung. I used to do the same thing until the great Bill O'Reilly gave me a master class in 1953.

Trust me, it works.

This article has 4 comments