Hot Trott puts England in control
Trott was out for 119
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Saturday, 22, Aug 2009 06:43
By Will Haine.
Jonathan Trott scored a debut ton for England as they declared on 373-9 in the deciding Ashes Test at the Oval.
Trott became the 18th Englishman to notch a century in his first Test as England set Australia a potential world record run chase.
The Warwickshire batsman came into the side in place of Ravi Bopara after a tremendous season in county cricket. And he has instantly repaid the confidence the selectors showed in him with a gritty 119, added to the 41 he scored in the first innings.
Australia now must score 546 runs to win the Test match, although a draw would be enough for them to retain the urn. They ended the day on 80-0 as Simon Katich and Shane Watson looked to lay the foundations for a long batting effort.
Andrew Strauss was the first man out today having looked good for his 75, but he was caught off the bowling of Marcus North (4-98) moments before lunch.
Matt Prior was out cheaply when Simon Katich ran him out in the second over after lunch, but this set the stage for Andrew Flintoff's last Test match innings.
It was entertaining while it lasted from Flintoff as he smashed 22 runs from 18 balls, but he was caught on the boundary going for one big shot too many. The England all-rounder received a standing ovation as he left the field in what was clearly an emotional moment.
An elegant 29 from Stuart Broad staked his claim as Flintoff's successor but it was Graeme Swann who showed real all-rounder potential with a stunning 63 from only 55 deliveries.
When he top edged to Brad Haddin, James Anderson came in and made 15 before Trott cut Stuart Clark to gully and Strauss waved his men in.
Yesterday Alastair Cook, Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood were out cheaply as question marks still hung over England's middle order.