London, July 14: England’s prolific middle-order batsman Jonathan Trott is all set to face India in the forthcoming home series. Averaging 66.75 in the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka and with a career average of 62.23 from 34 innings in 21 matches, Trott is an important cog in his country’s batting line-up.
After a thrilling series against the Lankans, England are ready to face the visiting Indians in the four-Test series. Speaking to the English media ahead of the anticipated tournament he said, "It's a great opportunity and will be a great advert for the game on the back of a good series against Sri Lanka.”
Trott, yet to play a game against India, is looking forward to the experience. "As you go through your career, you are going to come across teams you haven't played before and it's how you adapt and adjust to them [that counts],” he observed.
"There is maybe a bit of an advantage in that they haven't seen you or played against you,” he added.
But hasn’t he faced some of the Indians on the first class circuit? "I've played against some of them in county cricket so there are a few things there. But Test cricket is a little bit different and it will be very exciting," he pointed out.
Trott, who plays a key role in the England line-up, feels a player’s worth is judged by his contribution to the team. "I don't worry about what I'm going to finish my career with. I try and worry about how many Test series wins I can contribute to and be a part of.
"That is our goal as a team and the most important one as an individual and everyone in the team feels that way.
"When you get the chance to go out into the middle, it's your job to represent the other nine guys in the changing room and all the coaching staff,” said the 30-year old cricketer.
"It's a great opportunity to play and test yourself and at the end of it, see where you've ended up,” said the batsman as the third-ranked England gear up to take on the No. 1 Test team in the world.
"But as regards the averages, I don't pay too much attention to them. I don't know my average now although I bet you can tell me my strike rate!" joked the Warwickshire cricketer.
Trott, whose strike rate has been a topic of some discussion in the local media, believes he is capable of upping the tempo. He said, "Five days is a long time. As in 50-over cricket as well, you can sometimes think 'I've got to get on with it a bit'.
"You've got to weigh up the option of putting your foot down a bit more and leaving it up to someone else. I'm very wary of that. My job at No. 3 in the England team is to bat as long as possible and get the most runs.
"Sometimes it might go a bit slowly but also I know the right time to up the ante," he explained.
