Jonathan Trott should be played even if England look to make changes in the final two ODIs against India © Getty Images
By Tom Heulin
If people think that taking Jonathan Trott out of England's One-Day International (ODI) side will result in a transformation of England's fortunes in this form of the game, they've clearly not been watching much One-Day cricket lately.
Trott scored 98 of England's 298 runs at Mohali in the third of this five-match ODI series against India, yet all I've read about since the match is that his place is in jeopardy!
Never mind the fact Alastair Cook fell cheaply again. Never mind "The Next Gilchrist", Craig Kieswetter can't get past 30 and keeps dropping sitters. Never mind England are playing three seamers on slow, flat wickets and only one front-line spinner. Yup, if Trott was dropped, things would be alright!
For me, Trott is the key man in this ODI side along with Eoin Morgan, who is sorely missed in India by the way.
Morgan can win a game from nowhere, killing opponents in seemingly dominant positions, and you cannot underestimate the loss of a player like that on this tour. India have Mahendra Singh Dhoni, an equally capable "finisher", and he has won 2 of the 3 games in this series for India almost single-handedly.
Morgan can attack even when facing spin from both ends, a pre-requisite for excelling on the subcontinent and something all England's other players struggle to do – Trott included.
But Trott is so hard to get out. Even Morgan goes cheaply sometimes and in those situations, its essential Trott is there, otherwise England's innings can and usually do fall apart.
If Trott is in, the players at the other end can go for their shots. Kevin Pietersen and Patel both filled their boots in the third ODI, and 298 is actually a decent total. The fact England didn't defend it isn't attributable to Trott in my opinion.
England's fielding has been abject in this series, a surprise given recent high standards, but at the risk of sounding like a broken record, you're never going to excel in India playing three seamers and only one decent spinner.
I know it extends the tail, but I honestly think Scott Borthwick needs to play in the last two games. England are desperate for more spin options, so why not give Borthwick a go, he has already played international cricket and done well, albeit at T20 level.
I like Ravi Bopara but there is an ongoing debate as to whether he has the stomach for cricket at this level and with a change in fortunes required, perhaps he is the man to step aside. His part time medium-pacers don't seem to be fancied by Cook and he just isn't delivering runs on this tour.
Kieswetter is also a question mark. He looks good in home conditions, but a delicate touch is required on the subcontinent, and I'm not sure Kieswetter possesses one. Ian Bell has to return to the side now, he is too good a player to sit on the margins and, incredibly, bring the drinks out, as he did in the last game. He could replace Kieswetter and Bairstow could keep wicket.
Finally, let's play a fast bowler who is suited to these conditions. Stuart Meaker is a skiddy bowler who should be able to serve up plenty of yorkers at the death, something amazingly England's current attack seem incapable of doing, so give him a chance too.
There's plenty of changes that could and perhaps should be made to this England side to make them more competitive, certainly on the subcontinent anyway, but Trott isn't one of them.
They're up the creek, but Jonathan Trott must stay.
(A cricket writer living on a road running perpendicular to Hampshires Rosebowl ground. I am particularly proud of that fact, although clearly it has no bearing on my writing ability! I write about all forms or the game, particularly when England are involved, but will offer my opinion on other teams as and when I see fit! please interact and let me know your views, either on here or on Twitter: @tomhue1)
