The Ashes: Day 3 - Jonathan Trott

Having blogged previously that selecting Jonathan Trott was a leap into the unknown, but that the selectors deserved the benefit of the doubt, I doubt even they could have imagined that their selections would succeed quite so spectacularly in this match. With Trott adding a debut century to his first innings 41, and Ian Bell’s (admittedly fortuitous) first innings top score of 72, albeit with a subsequent failure, I don’t think anyone can say that Ramprakash, Key or even Trescothick would have been likely to contribute any more. They may not always get it right, but when they do, the selectors deserve credit, and Jonathan Trott might just turn out to be the kind of gritty performer that England’s middle order needs. Even if his career after this point is a failure, he will always have this moment to cherish. However, the job is not done, and the memories will all be bittersweet unless the bowlers hold up their end of the bargain tomorrow.