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Jonathan Trott is in relaxed mood about his return to South Africa following a confident start to England’s tour with 85 in a comprehensive victory against the Eagles at Bloemfontein.

Much has been made of Trott’s homecoming with comparisons drawn with Kevin Pietersen’s experiences four years ago, yet England’s latest batting recruit is taking it all in his stride. Trott came to the crease early after Joe Denly was bowled for 3, but his arrival was greeted with barely a ripple by the home crowd or the opposition. Although that is likely to change when the internationals begin next week Trott isn’t concerned.

“I didn’t hear anything from the crowd. [There were] no comments out there,” he said. “I have played against a few of them before in county cricket and it was all right.”

“I’m not bothered by the comments about me coming back here. I don’t have any animosity about it. I have seen some comments from their players saying I had made a decision at a young age to represent England and they seem to respect that. I can’t change the way people think, I can just come here and respect my team-mates and the English and South African public.”

Leading into the tour Trott’s South African roots came to the fore with comments from Michael Vaughan’s autobiography about how the former captain saw him congratulating South Africa following their 2008 Test series win in England. However, after his memorable debut hundred in the deciding Ashes Test at The Oval he is purely concentrating on earning a place in the Twenty20 and one-day teams for the first stage of this tour.

“Everyone is trying to get in this side and whichever team they select is the one that they think will do well and win,” he said. “I just want to get in the team whatever position they feel I can contribute.”

With Pietersen joining up with the squad early next week, having stayed behind in England to continue his rehabilitation for Achilles surgery, there will be a fight for places in the one-day line-up. Trott’s early form means he is staking a strong claim to add to the solitary ODI cap he earned against Ireland and a century was there for the taking before an attack of cramp played a part in his dismissal.

“It would have been nice to get a hundred but it was just good to get in the middle again, it’s like learning to drive again, you pick up the bat and get back in the mode after a few weeks off,” Trott said. “I don’t think it’s a typical South African wicket, it is a bit on the slow and low side which is quite surprising but it was nice to get in and get in the mode of playing again.

“It was nice to spend some time out there but there are still a few things to work on with my game that I could have done better out there but it was a good start.”

Source:Cricket News

Image Source:Cricinfo

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