LONDON, (Reuters) – England batsman Jonathan Trott put a troubled winter behind him yesterday with a second century in as many home tests on the opening day of the first test against Bangladesh at Lord’s.
Trott stroked an unbeaten 107 as England prospered at the expense of the threadbare Bangladesh attack to reach 231 for three at tea after being put in to bat. After helping England regain the Ashes at the Oval last year with 119 on his test debut, Trott struggled in the subsequent series in his native South Africa and in Bangladesh.
Under pressure yesterday to justify his test spot, Trott carved a boundary from his third delivery after Alastair Cook had been dismissed lbw for seven.
He batted with increasing authority, reaching his hundred with his 12th four from 133 balls, a handsome drive through the covers.
Andrew Strauss was denied a century on his return to the national side when he chopped a straight delivery on to his stumps during the second session.
The England captain, who was rested for the Bangladesh tour, started slowly but then got into his stride to compile 83 when he swept at a delivery from off-spinner Mahmudullah.
Bangladesh appealed loudly for a caught behind, which was turned down by umpire Billy Bowden. The next ball was a little flatter and faster and Strauss threw his head back in disgust as he cut the ball on to the base of his stumps. Shakib Al Hasan’s decision to field first on winning the toss on a cool, overcast morning was quickly exposed after Cook had been dismissed propping half-forward to Shahadat Hossain.
Hossain bowled with energy and verve but, in common with his team mates, he was rendered innocuous as the sun began to shine and sapped any early life from the pitch.
Shakib, who had been isolated from his team mates before the match after contracting chicken pox, demonstrated the paucity of his bowling resources by coming on as first change at the Nursery End with his left-arm spin.
He conceded 49 from 12 overs before switching to the Pavilion End 20 minutes before tea where his luck changed when he comprehensively bowled Kevin Pietersen for 18.
