Cricket: England hero has Kiwi connection

Jonathan Trott steps up to bat. Photo / AP.

England No 3 batsman Jonathan Trott celebrated his man-of-the match performance in the fourth and deciding Ashes test with his Kiwi connection.

Trott's parents, sister and brother were in Melbourne to watch his match-defining 168 not out. His father, Ian, is premier coach at Auckland's Parnell club, while sister Gayle is a publisher based in the city's eastern suburbs.

It's the second time Trott has contributed to an Ashes series victory. Debuting in the must-win final test at the Oval in 2009, he made 119 in England's second innings to set Australia 546 to win. They fell short by 197 runs, losing the series 2-1.

The Warwickshire-based professional is now ranked the world's third-best batsman and his average of 64 sits behind only a certain DG Bradman for those who have played 20 or more test innings. Trott's century at the MCG was his fifth in 29 turns at bat.

"A lot of guys have family here, which made it extra special," he says. "They came into the changing room, which added to the joy of the occasion, but it wasn't really a huge party with one test still to come."

Trott's nickname, according to Cricinfo, is "Booger", presumably because of his resemblance to the Revenge of the Nerds film character. He says the significance of exacting their own revenge in Australia has not been lost on the team, even if they are downplaying it until the end of the series.

"We'd be lying if we said we didn't know the history and everything that goes with it - that's part of the Ashes. We came with our eyes open but had little in terms of a hangover from past series."

It's also unlikely Trott will have to audition any further as the permanent test No 3, at least in the medium-term.

"I've benefitted from consistent selection in the past few months. It's not so much a case of cementing my spot but more about me wanting to improve and not rest on my laurels. I'm not untouchable."

That determination to improve (some might say his expertise in deflecting praise) was acknowledged by former team-mate Craig Cumming, Trott's skipper at Otago when he came out as a 24-year-old for most of the 2005-06 season.

"He was a guy who we quickly realised was ambitious, driven and not afraid to get into a battle," Cumming says. "I don't know if it was his background growing up [in Cape Town] but he was single-minded and not worried about what people thought.

"It hasn't surprised me he has succeeded in the international arena because there's little that rattles him. He wasn't afraid to mix it with the opposition, or his team-mates for that matter. He'd let you know when batting if he didn't think you were doing something right."

Trott's unlikely to return to Otago - or any New Zealand province - unless it is as part of an England tour, now his status has risen. But he has fond memories of that season.

"I really rated Mike Hesson as a coach. He helped me when I got there. He didn't impose himself heavily on you or try to curb your cricketing flair. I said I wanted to take responsibility as the overseas player by being as professional as possible.

"There wasn't much going on in Dunedin when the students were out of town, so I spent hours in the Edgar Centre with the bowling machine. It was a chance to get away on my own. I'd recommend anyone to do that as a way of advancing their career."