Buzzin Cricket

England selectors have ignored calls for change to the Ashes squad for the final and decisive test match at the Oval this week, although newcomer Jonathan Trott who was originally drafted in as cover for Andrew Flintoff in the previous test at Headingley, will be among the starting XI and replaces under-performer Ravi Bopara.

Trott’s Warwickshire team mate Ian Bell, himself a late call up to replace injured Kevin Pietersen, will move up the order and bat at number three for England in the final Ashes test match of the series.

Trott has given credit to former Warwickshire cricketer Ashley Giles for his call up. Giles who featured in the England Ashes triumph four years ago is now one of the England selectors. He was previously director of cricket at the county club in 2007 and Trott recalls;

“We sat down when he was appointed as head coach and set out a plan for the future, compiled a list of my strong points and my weak points, and that gave me a direction of how to get back into the (England) team. I am not saying I am a different person now but I do approach the game a bit differently. It seems to be working because I have been pretty successful.”

Trott has scored 1046 first class this year with an average in excess of 80.

Australia have called up wicket keeper Tim Paine as cover for the reserve Graham Manou who injured his hand at Edgbaston while deputising for Brad Haddin. The Australians have made it clear that Paine’s call  is purely a precautionary measure and are expecting Haddin to be passed fit for the test match.

While he is unlikely to be selected, Brett Lee was back bowling against the England Lions at Canterbury at the weekend and ended up as the pick of the Aussie bowlers with 3 for 37.

An unusual event made for the highlight of the day in Kent when a seagull swooped on one of the bails, dislodged when Lee clean bowled Liam Plunkett. Lee gave chase after the bird but it escaped after doing a lap of the ground leaving the umpires to call for replacement bails.