Jonathan Trott Named ECB Cricketer Of The Year

The ECB today announced that Jonathan Trott and Lydia Greenway have won the ECB Men’s and Women’s Cricketer of the Year awards respectively, whilst batsman Umesh Valjee from West London received the England Disability Cricketer of the Year award.

The winner of the ECB Men’s Cricketer of the Year, Jonathan Trott, was selected by the British cricket media. The award is given to the player that has had the greatest impact on England’s performances, since the start of the 2010 international season until the final match of the World Cup.

In that time Trott has enjoyed a hugely successful year, playing 32 times for his country and scoring 2,246 runs at an average of 68.06. This included seven centuries and a highest score of 226, scored against Bangladesh at Lord’s last summer.

During the Ashes his average of 89 was second only to Alastair Cook, whilst his first over run-out of Simon Katich during the second Test in Adelaide helped set England on the road to Ashes victory.

In winning the award, Trott saw off strong competition from his England colleagues Cook, Andrew Strauss, James Anderson and Graeme Swann.

"I am both extremely humbled and proud to have been named England Cricketer of the Year after what has clearly been the most enjoyable year of my cricketing career so far.

"It is an honour to represent England and it has been a privilege to be involved in such a successful, hard-working team. I wouldn't have won this award with the commitment and support of my team-mates.

"This award really belongs to the entire England squad and management team that have provided such a supportive and professional environment that has allowed me to prosper as a cricketer and a person.

"There is still much hard work to be done and improvement to be made and I look forward to making further contributions to a successful England team for a long as possible."

Jonathan Trott Rescues England

Jonathan Trott came to England’s rescue today in the first test after hitting his second double century in Tests for England when England reached 491-5 against Sri Lanka in Cardiff.

Sri Lanka initially scored 400 in the first innings and after rain had interrupted play on both days, England replied in fine fashion with Trott resuming on 125 after the morning session was effected by the rain. Trott put on 160 with county team-mate Ian Bell, who was left on 98 not out at the close of the play.

Alastair Cook was out early on only adding four runs to his overnight 129 while Kevin Pietersen made only three runs when he was caught lbw by the TV umpire following a referral.

Alastair Cook Puts England In Command

Alastair Cook scores another ton

Alastair Cook hit a successive century as England set a lead of 72 against Australia in the second Ashes Test..  Cook hit an unbeaten 136 with the tourists reaching 317-2 in their first innings. The Essex left-hander, who also hit 235 not out in the first test at the Gabba took his aggregate score to 371.

Following Andrew Strauss' dismissal in the first over bowled by Doug Bollinger for no runs, the tourists made a bad start to the day. But Alastair Cook & Jonathan Trott (78) put England in command and once Trott was dismissed Kevin Pietersen then hit 85 not out, helping England rack up the runs in Adelaide.

Alastair Cook said, "It's important to cash in when things do go your way,"

"(I learned after the first Test) what had gone had gone.

"It's about not getting complacent; it's a mental switch that you have to start at nought again.

"That was one of the challenges I had this week - trying to back up what I did last week."

The Essex batsman speaking on the batting conditions, he added: "They bowled really well up front so to stick in through that and go on and bat all day was especially rewarding.

"It was almost ideal batting conditions.

"A lot of credit must go to the way our guys bowled to put us in that position.

"But there is still a lot of hard work to do."

First Ashes test declared a draw

Alastair Cook scores 235 runs

England duo Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott continued to clock up runs on the final day in Brisbane as the first Ashes Test festered out to a predictable draw.

England reached a milestone of runs as records tumbled at the Gabba when the tourists totalled an impressive 517-1 before declaring their second innings with a lead of 297.

Cook notched up unbeaten on 235 from 428 balls; a new career-best and a record score by any player at the ground, a record previously held by the legendary Sir Donald Bradman.

While Trott chipped in with 135 not out from 266 balls during an unbroken stand of 329 that eclipsed the 307 that was totalled by Michael Hussey and Brad Haddin in Australia's first innings. Cook had hit 26 fours in his marathon knock by the time his skipper, Andrew Strauss, who himself had made 110 on day four, decided enough was enough and put the Australian bowlers out of their misery.

This is only the second time in England's history the top three batsmen have reached three figures in the same innings, the previous instance courtesy of Jack Hobbs, Herbert Sutcliffe and Wally Hammond in 1924. Australia reached 107 for one when the captains decided to shake hands on a high-scoring draw.

England captain Andrew Strauss praised his side's efforts after they fought back from a poor start to finish the first Test in Brisbane on the front foot. 

"Getting out in the first over in the first Test is a pretty horrendous way to start," he said.

"We felt pretty low then and after day three we felt downbeat as well, we'd done good things and we were behind in the game.

"But we dug pretty deep and we're very happy to be nil-all. Nothing changes and both sides will come out hard in the next Test in Adelaide."

When asked about England's approach to the second innings, Strauss said: "If you just go into your shell and try and survive you play into the opposition's hands.

"If you look for scoring opportunities it creates momentum for you and once we got that momentum it became easier and easier."

Strauss & Cook Reduce England’s Deficit

Strauss and Cook set the pace

England Captain Andrew Strauss and opening partner Alastair Cook helped steer England towards a draw.  Both players hit centuries with Strauss notching up (110) and Cook (132 not out). A half-century from Jonathan Trott once Strauss was dismissed by Marcus North helped put England on course to escape the Gabba with an unexpected draw against Australia.

The tourists had reached 309-1, giving them a lead of 88, in their second innings when bad light ended play. Both Strauss and Cook almost cleared the deficit after Australia totalled an impressive 481 in the 1st innings.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Andrew Strauss said: "It was obviously important the two of us stood up and batted for the majority of the day. That gives us the psychological advantage going into tomorrow.

"Last night was pretty tricky so coming out this morning the ball was a bit older. It's always important you don't go too much into your shell."

Strauss was determined to bounce back after getting out to just the third ball on the opening day of the series on Thursday.

He said: "It was probably one of the worst feelings I have had in cricket following all the build-up to the game."

Cook has been clocking up the runs; he hit 132 to a half-century in the first innings, He Said: "It was very satisfying. I said at the start of the tour I had a point to prove. In my last two series against Australia I hadn't done that well.

"Over the last 12 months I've had a bit of a tinker with my technique and tried to improve it. The results today, I'm very happy with."

Trott Geared up for The Ashes

England batsman Jonathan Trott is confident the team will do well at the Ashes in Australia, as an English cricketer, winning the Ashes Down-Under is the biggest prize. The rivalry between the two countries in Cricket has brought about some of the best games of Cricket ever seen.

Trott's first taste of the Ashes came at the oval in 2009, hitting a second-innings century to help England win the series and now he wants to help regain the Ashes in Australia's back yard.

Could they regain the Ashes?

Trott said, "People that you speak to who have been on past tours say that, as an Englishman coming out here on an Ashes tour, it's the ultimate,"

"You come here with your eyes open expecting the toughest - you prepare for that so you are ready for whatever comes your way.

He added, "Coming here, wanting to do well, the team is expected to do well - and I want to contribute to that.

"I've prepared for all eventualities. I'm not going to change the way I prepare because that is what has made me successful in the past - so it would be foolish to change."