Trott takes burgeoning career at a canter

When a young Jonathan Trott’s mind wandered as he sat in class at school, little did his teachers know that the Cape Town boy would make his name for his extraordinary powers of concentration.

Trott’s batting may not be flamboyantly destructive like fellow South-African born England batsman Kevin Pietersen but his coolness under pressure and steely concentration is winning matches and plaudits.

“If you speak to my schoolteachers they would probably say I wasn’t very good at that (concentrating),” Trott, 29, told reporters at England’s training base in Loughborough on Tuesday when asked to explain his application at the crease.

Trott, who transferred from Cape Town in 2002 to try to earn a living with county team Warwickshire, has been a revelation in international cricket since he was drafted into the England squad last year.

He did not make an appearance in the first four Ashes matches but after England slumped to an innings defeat at Headingley, he was drafted in for fifth and final test at The Oval where he made his name.

After scoring a century (119) on debut against Australia that helped clinch the Ashes last year and a double hundred at Lord’s in May, he is making headlines.

GRINDS OUT

The fact he is yet another England player with South African links after Pietersen and the Johannesburg-born Andrew Strauss and Matt Prior, and young wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter, does not sit comfortably with all England fans.

However, Trott is winning over the sceptics with his runs, which he grinds out with great patience.

His methodical habit of drawing lines in the pitch every ball with his bat before the bowler starts his run-up has irked opponents. Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons expressed his annoyance this year and ordered his players to try to rush him.

“I enjoy batting for long periods,” said Trott, who will become a father in September.

“It’s exciting walking out to bat and you have all this time. You have a great opportunity at number three to express yourself, show your determination and commitment to your cause.”

Trott, who represented South Africa Under-15s and Under-19s, is averaging 50 from his first nine test matches and 70 from his six one-day internationals, though he said he does not pay attention to statistics.

When asked if he feared his place may be in jeopardy when Ian Bell returns from a broken foot, Trott initially looked bewildered at the suggestion before diplomatically saying he expected the selectors to keep faith with the in-form men.

After his cameo appearance during the last Ashes series, he feels he is ready to make a more long-standing contribution during this year’s showdown which starts in Brisbane on Nov. 25.

“I am intense when I need to be intense and focused,” Trott said with his legs crossed as reporters crowded him.

“It’s my job and it’s important. Whoever walks flashing around and not taking it seriously will not last very long. It’s very important to me that I do very well and the team does very well.

“We all have that competitive streak in us, which is why we are playing for England.

“Not many people would play for England if they don’t have that competitive edge or that thing that gets them going — that thing that gets them out of bed in the morning, that chance to walk out there and be in a battle. It’s something that is very unique.”