“I can’t see why England would take Trott to the West Indies without playing him so I think he will open”

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Former England captain Andrew Strauss believes that Jonathan Trott should open the batting for the national team during their tour of the West Indies next month.

Trott is set to make his international comeback after leaving midway through the 2013-14 Ashes series against Australia with a stress-related illness.

“I can’t see why England would take Trott to the West Indies without playing him so I think he will open,” Strauss told Sky Sports. “Their thinking is that in an ideal world he plays against West Indies and New Zealand and is then ready for the Ashes, which will be the big challenge for him, against his nemesis, Mitchell Johnson, and after what happened on the last tour.

“Lyth is the inexperienced guy who will gain an idea of what international cricket is all about, while Sam Robson being left out is a reasonable call as he played seven Tests last summer, averaged about 30 and didn’t take his opportunity.”

Since Trott scored 64 and 19 in the only Test match he has opened, which came against Bangladesh in 2010, it has led to legendary South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis agreeing with Strauss’ comments.

“I don’t think he would have made himself available if he wasn’t up to it and I think he is mentally strong enough to come back and go from three to two,” Kallis said. “At three you can be in second ball in any case so it might only be a slight mindset shift and sometimes a good break, which Trott has had, is all that one needs to come back strong.”