First Test marks the return of Trott as England’s anchor

Should he get the nod over Adam Lyth to partner Alastair Cook at the top of the order for England on their tour of the West Indies, then the return of Jonathan Trott to the international scene could be the shot in the arm the side needs after a dismal World Cup.

After making last season’s second comeback from the stress-related illness that caused him to fly home from the infamous Ashes tour, Trott has shown his class and quality has not deserted him in his time away.

It started with a century in his return match for Warwickshire against Sussex, which was the catalyst for a flurry of scores, both in the four-day game and limited overs outings, that led to his selection on an England Lions tour to South Africa.

Another test of his mental state was passed with flying colours, as he made a match-saving double hundred against South Africa A.

Now, back with the senior side, he has the chance to once again become the foundation from which success is built, starting with the Test series against the West Indies.

Trott’s steel is exactly what this England side, still in transition with a raft of young players, needs. A partnership with Cook at the top of the order may deny another promising player, Lyth, the chance to start his career, but cannot be overlooked on that basis.

England played their most successful cricket in both Test and ODI formats when Trott was on song. His presence back among the squad, who were hit hard when he departed, must have already had its benefits. The addition of runs to that equation will do even less harm.

The right-hander is 4/1 to be England’s top first innings runscorer in the first Test against an undercooked West Indies side. Seeing him do so would be no surprise.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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