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Twelve months ago, Jonathan Trott
was England's "go to" man. Whenever the team needed someone to rise to
the challenge - be it during the Ashes, against Pakistan's spectacular
swing or during the World Cup - not just the supporters but even the
team management looked up to him.
Trott had never disappointed anyone for well over two years ever since
marking his arrival on the international stage with a century against
Australia in August 2009 - helping to regain the Ashes is no bad way to
introduce yourself to world cricket.
Back then, having emerged as the first sole England recipient of the ICC
Player of the Year in 2011 (Andrew Flintoff shared it with Jacques
Kallis in 2005), Trott was not just the torch-bearer of English cricket
but a rapidly declining school of players who could excel in all three
formats of the game, especially in the longest.
Cut to November 2012 and the winds seem to have started blowing in the
other direction. As he addressed a group of journalists in Ahmedabad
ahead of the first of a four-Test series and spoke of his potential
plans to take on the Indian bowlers (read spinners), Trott was put on
the backfoot about his performance in the side.
This year has been undoubtedly been a mediocre year for Trott, and
England as result. In 21 innings, Trott has managed to score just one
century and averaged 37.42, well below par any specialist batsman in
Test cricket these days, let alone a No. 3. His poor form has resulted
in his average that was soaring towards the 60s at the start of the year
having almost dropped below 50.
But instead of being bogged down by all sorts of scrutiny, Trott faced
all the queries with a straight face, just like his blade during the
best of times at the crease. First and foremost, he dismissed the
possibility of him having to open the innings during the four-Test
series, with two debutants vying for the slot vacated by Andrew Strauss.
"I have never really had any discussion like that," Trott said. "Maybe
it has been coming more from the media."
In his three preparatory outings at the crease ahead of what would be
his first Test series in India, Trott got his eye in but didn't manage
the big innings he was accustomed to playing during his purple patch. He
didn't hesitate to admit he was a touch frustrated but going into the
Test series, he preferred to consider the glass half full rather than
half empty.
"I am slightly disappointed with the mistakes I have made so far," Trott
said. "Maybe in hindsight I would think I am gladder to have made these
mistakes now that in Test matches. I am looking forward to spending
more time at the crease in the four-day game so I will be ready."
With England seeking their first Test series win in India for 27 years,
the England management seems to be leaving no stone unturned to get the
players ready - especially those like Trott who have never played Tests
in India. One such measure was to let the batsmen bat in the nets with
speakers blaring crowd roars during their training camp in Dubai before
arriving in India.
"Our management are very keen on when we get ready for the game time, we
are not overawed or surprised by anything," Trott said. "I have played
one-dayers in India before and you get a feel over there. It feels good.
Probably feels similar to walking out at Melbourne with 90,000
Australians wanting you to do badly."
If Trott does what he did at the MCG
almost two years ago - scoring an unbeaten 168 helping England retain
the Ashes - at Wankhede or Eden Gardens, not only would he silence the
doubters but would also help his team achieve a major goal of winning a
series in India. After all, the last three years suggest whenever Trott
does well, England do too.
Amol Karhadkar is a correspondent at ESPNcricinfo
Feeds: Amol Karhadkar
© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
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