Jonathan Trott happy to avenge humiliation as England record much-needed victory

Tom Collomosse
18 Nov 2009

Jonathan Trott says England were spurred on by thoughts of revenge as they beat South Africa A last night.

With the memory of their 84-run demolition at the hands of the senior Proteas side in the second Twenty20 international last weekend still fresh, the England players knew another defeat would send the tour into a downward spiral.

But while Andrew Strauss's men were made to dig deep in Potchefstroom in pursuit of their target of 279, they eventually prevailed by four wickets with 11 deliveries to spare — thanks in a large part to Trott's knock of 78.

England's latest South African import was thrilled with the way his team-mates bounced back and is confident it will give them a major boost heading into the five-match one-day series, which starts in Johannesburg on Friday.

Trott said: “After the Twenty20 we were disappointed because we didn't play as well as we know we can. It was important that we came here with our chests out and taking this game head-on, which we've done.

“That's very pleasing and we can now go back to the Wanderers full of confidence and really take on the South Africans.”

South Africa-born Trott has made three-half centuries in his five visits to the crease during the tour but is disappointed not to have kicked on to even bigger scores.

“It's pleasing, but I would like to have got a hundred in one of these games. If I batted through I might well have been able to get close. I would liked to have got the three figures and get my confidence sky high.

“I'm happy, obviously, with the runs that I've got but the more important thing is that we won and we can take confidence into the five games coming up.”