Trott hails tourists' depth - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Trott hails tourists' depth

Jonathan Trott believes England's ability to beat South Africa A without a number of their key players showed the depth that is available within the squad.

The Warwickshire batsman was named man of the match after hitting 74 in Potchefstoom to help his side seal a four-wicket win, but the victory looks a more impressive one if the growing injury list is considered.

Trott said: "It just goes to show how strong our squad is. If anybody is called upon it just goes to show that whoever it is, they can do a job for the side."

Alastair Cook, Paul Collingwood (both back), James Anderson (knee), Graeme Swann (intercostal muscle) and Stuart Broad (shoulder) were all carrying knocks leaving the tourists with just 11 fit players.

Bowling coach Ottis Gibson was called upon at one stage for 12th man duty, but it did not deter England from chasing down a tricky 280 victory target set by South Africa's second string.

28-year-old Trott was not the only player to shine on a cold and gloomy day at Senwes Park after half-centuries from Andrew Strauss (65) and Matt Prior (54) also helped the cause after the home side made 279 for nine, thanks largely to Andrew Puttick (62).

England looked in trouble at 165 for four with just over 16 overs to go but a 66-run partnership between Trott and Prior kept them in the mix and Luke Wright (25 not out) took them over the line with 11 balls to spare.

Trott continued: "I think it was a nicely measured innings from us. Andrew Strauss set it up nicely at the beginning and along with Joe Denly gave us a good start.

"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."

Sport in brief in Pictures

Don't Miss
Gala night for the Queen of arts - stars turn out in their hundreds to pay tribute

Happy & glorious

Stars turn out in their hundreds to pay tribute to Queen
Prints charming: patterned trousers for summer

Prints charming

Patterned trousers for summer
Promethipedia: the lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus

Promethipedia

The lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus
The Middletan: Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London

The Middletan

Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London
Amy Childs bares all like Britney

Dare to bare

Amy Childs vajazzles like Britney
Thais go Gaga: singer’s ‘fake rolex’ tweet sparks new tour row... but fans still mob her at airport

Thais go Gaga

Singer mobbed at airport
Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon

Fashion

Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon
Chelsea Champions League celebrations - in pictures

Victory parade

Chelsea Champions League celebrations
High-flying heroes

High flying heroes

David Oyelowo reveals all about new film Red Tails
The Twitter Diaries: Think Bridget Jones tries social networking

The Twitter Diaries

Think Bridget Jones tries social networking