Image courtesy of: Zimbio
“I feel I have got a bit of rhythm coming back but you never quite know until you are in front of 40,000 people in Brisbane whether all the hard work is going to pay off or not”
England batsman Jonathan Trott is glad to be back amongst the runs after scoring just 293 runs against Australia in the recent Ashes series at a dismal average of 29.30.
Trott battled his way to 83 against the Cricket Australia Invitational XI in Sydney before being caught behind off the bowling of Josh Lalor.
Trott also smashed 113 during England’s first warm-up mach against Western Australia in Perth.
“I have been working hard with the coaches – and with Andy (Flower) over the last couple weeks on a few things a felt I needed to iron out,” Trott told Sky Sports. “I feel I have got a bit of rhythm coming back but you never quite know until you are in front of 40,000 people in Brisbane whether all the hard work is going to pay off or not.
“I am working hard on trying to get into some good touch so it is nice to get some runs in the warm-up games, that’s what they are there for.”
After only scoring four runs in the warm-up game against Australia A in Hobart, Trott stated that “it was important for me to get my head down and get some runs”.
“After missing out in Hobart it was important for me to get my head down and get some runs,” the 32-year-old said. “Alastair and myself got through the tricky part where the ball was doing a little bit and managed to get a good partnership going. That was nice and gives us confidence going into the first Test.”
Trott was also pleased to see South African-born batsman Kevin Pietersen find some form ahead of the first Ashes Test on November 21 in Brisbane.
Pietersen hammered 57 runs off 71 balls, which included seven boundaries and two sixes, against the Cricket Australia Invitational XI before being caught out off the bowling of James Muirhead.
“Kev came in and was really attacking and he played the way he can,” Trott said. “It was really pleasing to see him in good form along with Belly, who looks in good touch as well.”