Features

Trott could be key figure

Author: John Harris
Date: 16/12/2009
Cricket betting

With England ready to embark on their four-game Test series in South Africa, confidence should be high following their excellent showing in the Twenty20 and ODI matches.

After drawing the Twenty20 two-game series, England surprisingly beat the hosts 2-1 in their five-match 50-over matches.

The first Test will be played at Centurion and the visitors have happy memories of the venue after their excellent seven-wicket victory over the Proteas in the second ODI.

Much of England's success on that day hinged around Jonathan Trott, who restricted Graeme Smith's men with the ball before helping England reach their 250 target by hitting a superb 87.

Eyes will be on Trott for obvious reasons in the next month-and-a-half.

Born and raised in Cape Town, the 28-year-old will be lining up against his compatriots for the first time in the high intensity Test arena.

Trott made an amazing debut against Australia during his adopted country's Ashes success in the summer, when he hit 119 to emulate the feat of fellow South African-born player Kevin Pietersen, who also hit a maiden Test hundred in a crucial match against the old enemy.

Will England defy the odds and beat South Africa in the upcoming Test series? - Latest Cricket Betting

After just one Test, he is averaging 80 and, if he is to maintain that sort of record, it will be a massive test of his own character.

England have hedged their success on the form of Pietersen in recent years and they could make an attractive four man partnership behind captain Andrew Strauss and fellow opener Alastair Cook.

England's South African influence doesn't stop there. First-choice wicket-keeper Matt Prior was born in Johannesburg and didn't move to England until he was 11.

He also scored a debut Test century, against the West Indies, hitting 126 at Lord's and a further 75 at Headingley.

Perhaps more significantly, his work with the gloves has dramatically improved in recent times.

England captain Strauss, who is the online sportsbook favourite to top score for England in the Test series, was also born in Johannesburg and left South Africa with his family at the age of six.

Although Pietersen and Trott bear the brunt of South Africa's ridicule for seemingly jumping ship, it is Prior and Strauss, converted Englishmen, who will have a big say in the outcome of this Test series, alongside the newer additions to England's cricketing family.

BET NOW