Trott open to top-order role

Jonathan Trott made a superb start as a one-day international opener with 87 in England's seven-wicket win at Centurion

Jonathan Trott is hoping his 87 at his first attempt as England opener will mean he is entrusted with the job permanently.

South Africa-born Trott, this week back where he grew up in Cape Town as England bid to build on their 1-0 one-day international series lead over the hosts, is naturally hoping he can prove himself in front of what was once his home crowd.

Come what may at Newlands on Friday, though, the Warwickshire batsman is setting his sights on an extended stay at the top of the order for England.

“I’ve told (team director) Andy (Flower) I’ll bat where it is needed or where it is best for the team,” he said, as he reflected on the runs he made at Centurion on Sunday when he and Paul Collingwood shared a stand of 162 on the way to seven-wicket win.

“If they see me as an opener, which I’ve done for Warwickshire for the last two seasons, then great.

“I like the position and enjoyed batting there yesterday - and hope I can do well again in the future, if called upon to be an opener.”

Trott even admitted he would be willing to partner Andrew Strauss in the Test series if Alastair Cook fails to recover in time from his back injury.

However the 28-year-old, who insists he is a middle-order batsman, is not about to get too far ahead of himself.

“I wouldn’t like to say I’m a Test opener,” he said.

“I haven’t really opened (in first-class cricket) in my life before - I’m a number four.

Trott, who added 162 with Paul Collingwood, revealed: “He was very calm and had a good influence on our partnership"

“I’ve always batted in the middle order, so I’ve never really seen myself as an opener.

“I’ve only played one Test match. But again, whatever they ask me to do I’m more than happy to do.”

Wherever he bats, Trott will be more than happy to team up again with Centurion man-of-the-match Collingwood, who marked his England record 171st ODI appearance with an outstanding all-round performance.

“He was very calm and had a good influence on our partnership, with regard to his coolness and the way he operates - and he knows when to take a calculated risk,” Trott said.

“It was nice to watch from the bowler’s end. You can learn a lot to use for the future.

“In the middle, you bounce ideas off each other and the more you play, the more you get to understand each other’s games.

“The more I play with the likes of Paul, the more they’ll understand where my strengths are and be able to confirm what options you take are good ones against a certain bowler.

“It’s stuff we discuss outside games, in meetings and practice. But it’s always good to get a bit of confirmation from your partner.”