Trott helps England prove a point

ECBtv's post-match report from Potchefstroom - with Jonathan Trott

Jonathan Trott revealed that England were spurred on to victory over South Africa A by the memory of their 84-run defeat at the hands of the senior Proteas side in the second Twenty20 international.

The tourists were made to dig deep against the home side in Potchefstroom but eventually prevailed by four wickets with 11 deliveries to spare.

It was a fine comeback considering the manner of the defeat against Graeme Smith’s team at Centurion on Sunday, with man-of-the-match Trott (78), captain Andrew Strauss (65) and Matt Prior (54) making valuable contributions during an increasingly tense run-chase.

It came after South Africa A had amassed a challenging 279 for nine, thanks largely to Andrew Puttick’s 62 and 42 not out from Heino Kuhn.

Trott was thrilled with the way England bounced back and is confident the win will give them a major boost heading into the five-match one-day series, which starts in Johannesburg on Friday.

Jonathan Trott works the ball off his legs in his composed 78, which provided the cornerstone of England's pursuit of 280

Buy this photo

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 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.”

South Africa-born Trott has made three half-centuries in five visits to the crease this tour, but he is disappointed not to have kicked on to bigger scores.

After taking 89 balls over his 78 last night in an innings which contained five fours and a six, he said: “I would like to have got a hundred in one of these games.

“If I batted through I might well have been able to get close. I would liked to have got the three figures and get myself sky-high (with) confidence.

“But I’m happy with the runs that I’ve got. It’s pleasing. But the more important thing is that we won and we can take confidence into the five games coming up.”

Trott’s composure helped minimise the loss of Strauss, who dominated an opening stand of 68 in 12 overs with Joe Denly.

Although the run-rate climbed to more than nine an over late in England’s reply, Trott was thankful for Prior’s superbly timed 46-ball half-century alongside Luke Wright, who smashed an unbeaten 25 off 14 deliveries.

“It was a nicely measured innings from us,” Trott added. “Andrew Strauss set it up nicely at the beginning and, along with Joe Denly, gave us a good start.

Captain Andrew Strauss, on his return to the England side, hit a fluent 65 to "set it up nicely", according to Trott

Buy this photo

“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 claimed the decision with Prior to take the batting powerplay with seven overs remaining - and 64 required - was key.

“We had the powerplay at hand and we took it at the right time,” he said. “Matt and I discussed it out there and I think we got it spot-on.

“At one stage it was around eight (an over) and we’ve won by two overs, so it was a good effort.”