Duo taken aback by call

Jonathan Trott has impressed for Warwickshire for six seasons

New boys Jonathan Trott and Dimitri Mascarenhas both expressed their surprise after being named in England’s one-day squad on Friday morning.

Warwickshire batsman Trott and Hampshire all-rounder Mascarenhas are included in a 14-man party to face West Indies in two NatWest Twenty20 matches and three one-day internationals in the NatWest Series.

Trott moved to England from South Africa six years ago and has been a regular in the Warwickshire side since scoring a century on debut in 2003.

The 26-year-old said: “I got the call this morning, it was a bit of a shock and I thought someone was playing a prank on me. It’s one of those things you dream about when you’re growing up.

“I feel I’ve been playing good one-day cricket this season but I was not really expecting it. Hopefully I can take the chance with both hands.”

Trott, who scored more than 1,000 first-class runs in 2005 and 2006, will join another South African-born player, Kevin Pietersen, in the England side.

Trott added: “I’ve been playing for Warwickshire for six seasons and qualify to play for England now.

Dimitri Mascarenhas is backed by Shane Warne

“It was a decision I took when I was about 20 to come over here and try to play for England.

“It was one of those things when you weigh up the options of your career. I thought coming over here would be more beneficial and I thought I would stand a better chance.

“With regard to South Africa and the politics I don’t really get involved in that. It’s a great day and I’ll never forget it.”

The virtues of Mascarenhas have long been extolled by his county captain Shane Warne and his chance comes after more than a decade in the county game.

Mascarenhas, 29, said: “David Graveney phoned me about 10 o’clock this morning to let me know I’d been picked – I couldn’t believe it.

“I’ve been talked about for a little while but I was not really expecting the call-up. It’s probably the best news I’ve ever had.”

Mascarenhas was born in England to Sri Lankan parents but grew up in Perth, Western Australia.

He told Sky Sports News: “I lived in Australia until I was 18 when I came here. But I never had a doubt, it was always England (I wanted to play for) since I came here.”

As for Warne’s continual trumpeting, he said: “Over the years he’s always been singing my praises. He’s pretty happy as well!”

England chairman of selectors Graveney said: “Jonathan will give us options in the top three of the order and he has been in prolific form for Warwickshire in the Friends Provident Trophy this season.

“Similarly, Dimitri Mascarenhas enjoys an excellent record in the shorter form of the game, has shown that he can take wickets on different types of surfaces and is also an effective hitter in the lower order.”