‘Trott should not open the batting’

Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott has joined the chorus of people confused by batsman Jonathan Trott opening the batting for England against the West Indies, saying Trott's game does not suit that position.

Trott returned to the side in this series after more than a year out due to mental health issues, and was put in at opener instead of his usual number three. He has recorded three ducks in five innings, with many saying this is the likely end of his Test career.

Boycott told Test Match Special after Trott's latest duck, on Friday: "Trott's a problem, he's coming forward before the bowlers let the ball go.

"It's not the way he used to play and for me he would not be opening. There are sterner tests to come after West Indies with New Zealand and Australia.

"You can get away with [coming forward] if the bowlers are medium paced, but when you get faster bowlers you haven't got time and you're not in any control.

"He is a tough cookie and he has had a terrific Test record. But it's a different ball game psychologically up front. It's not like being down the order and you have plenty of runs on the board and the bowlers are tired.

"Every time you go in it's the new ball and you have got fresh bowlers. It is nerve-wracking. He can't play like that against quick bowling.

"I would be frightened watching him when Australia come [for the Ashes series this summer] with Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson."

Former England spinner Graeme Swann agreed, going to far as to say Trott was being picked based on emotions in the dressing room: "I feel for Jonathan Trott. He shouldn't be opening the batting, he's a number three. It almost seems like a sympathy pick to me."

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