Trott happy with 'par 250 first innings score' at Durham despite England 'meltdown'

England batsman Jonathan Trott has said that 250 is a 'par' first innings score at Durham, where 339 is the highest total at the venue in this county season.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, via a mix of disciplined all-round bowling and careless batting, England slumped to 5-155 before a last-wicket flurry left them 9-238 at the close.

However, Trott expressed optimism despite the rapid turn-over in England's fortunes, saying that as 250 is a 'par' score at the Durham ground so that the side should not lose hope despite being nine wickets down in the first day itself.

According to Trott, generally in cricket, a player gets himself out or is forced to leave the field due to good pressure from the opposition which makes him play a wrong shot, although he admitted that as the batsmen, they were all responsible for the team's unexpected show in the first day at Chester-le-Street.

Trott further said that the performance is a bit uncharacteristic of them as a side given that they have put a lot of emphasis on their wickets and are thus disappointed at the result.

However, Trott defended England's extremely slow scoring rate and poor shot selection, saying that Australia had bowled well and had pressurised the England batsmen, adding that it is true that Australians have got a good bowling line-up.

Admitting that Australia has the momentum even though England has retained the Ashes after drawing at Old Trafford and taking the ascendancy at Durham, Trott, however said that England bowlers have also not spared Australian batsmen, adding that the game is about trying to squeeze every run out and applying as much pressure as the player can.

Trott's 73-run stand with Cook went to waste when he tried to flick Nathan Lyon off the pads, with the report adding that Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell and the tail were guilty of reckless shot selection.