'Concerned' Stewart asks Trott to 'work hard' on countering Johnson's 'short balls'

Former England wicketkeeper Alec Stewart has claimed in his column that Jonathan Trott needs to 'sort himself out' or England will have to suffer in the Ashes.

According to the Mirror, Stewart pointed out that a Test series is a marathon and not a sprint, but if England are to retain The Ashes they are going to have to speed up immediately.

The big question is will the Aussies be able to maintain their tempo or will Alastair Cook and his men overtake them on the home straight, Stewart said.

Mitchell Johnson, the Australian fast bowler, has shown good pace and control and created doubt in the minds of the England batsmen, none more so than Jonathan Trott, the report said.

Trott has been unsettled and his decision making against the short ball is muddled, the report added.

Both Trott dismissals were proof he has been rattled and is unsure how to deal with the pace and angle of the Aussies' opening left armer, according to Stewart.

However, the former cricketer added that Trott is a hard worker and will be doing everything he can to overcome this technical and mental problem, but he will not find it easy.