Trott stars for England

Warwickshire batsman Trott emulated the feat of fellow South African-born player Pietersen by hitting a maiden Test hundred in a decisive match against Australia. For 28-year-old Trott it was on debut to boot, having been preferred to more experienced candidates such as Mark Ramprakash and Robert Key for the spare batting place vacated by the axed Ravi Bopara.

Four years ago at the same south London venue, Pietersen reeled off a scintillating 158 to put the match out of Australia's reach. Today Trott, last out for a disciplined 119, was intent on doing the same as England, needing to win to repeat the 2-1 success of 2005, declared on 373 for nine at 5pm, setting Australia a mammoth 546-run target. They closed on 80 without loss.

England began the third morning in control of their must-win contest, 230 runs ahead with seven wickets intact, and Trott enhanced the position considerably by increasing the overnight stand with captain Andrew Strauss to three figures.

Strauss departed on the stroke of lunch for 75 but Trott, unfortunate to be run out in his first Test innings on Thursday, displayed great mental application to lay anchor.

Meanwhile at the other end, a succession of cameos, beginning with one from retiring all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, boosted the scoring rate.

Flintoff received standing ovations at either end of his 22 and was sportingly shaken by the hand by Australia captain Ricky Ponting to mark his final Test innings.

Stuart Broad, hero of the second-day domination over the tourists with the ball, weighed in with 29, while Graeme Swann scored an audacious 63, which dominated a stand of 90 in 13 overs with Trott for the eighth wicket. It ended when an attempted pull off Ben Hilfenhaus spiralled to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

At that stage Trott was still five runs short of three figures but there were few signs of nerves as he became the 18th England batsman to score a hundred on Test debut, and first against Australia since Graham Thorpe 16 years ago. The moment arrived in Hilfenhaus' next over when, on 99, he turned a delivery off his pads towards fine leg and began his celebrations before completing the first run.

Trott was eventually dismissed by Stuart Clark and England promptly declared, but they were unable to take a wicket before the close - Shane Watson unbeaten on 31 and Simon Katich 42 not out.