Eduan Roos

Johannesburg – He was born in South Africa, but went to ply his cricketing trade in England.

He started his international career with a remarkable century in the Ashes series against Australia and is standing squarely between the Proteas and victory in Friday’s first one-day international at the Wanderers.

And no, his name is not Kevin Pietersen. Jonathan Trott, the 28-year-old who is representing England for the first time against the country of his birth, is the biggest stumbling block in South Africa’s quest to regain their status as the world’s leading one-day side.

Should Graeme Smith’s Protea side win the series of five one-day matches convincingly, they will virtually close the gap between themselves and Australia on the International Cricket Council’s world rankings.

However, the South Africans first need to find a way of dealing with Trott. It’s something they have not been able to do in two Twenty20 games and a couple of training matches.

Trott’s innings’ of 33 and 51 in the Twenty20 games made him the biggest thorn in the Proteas’ flesh, while he also kept English hopes of a victory alive with an innings of 78 against South Africa A on Tuesday evening.

He also stood out head and shoulders above team-mates with an innings of 85 in their first game against the Eagles in Bloemfontein.

“It would have been nice to score a century here first, but it’s still good to have been able to get a lot of batting practice,” said Trott.

“I’m feeling good about my batting to date, but there are still a number of things I can improve on, irrespective of my good start.”

Trott, who was instrumental in crafting a victory over the Aussies with 160 runs in his debut Test earlier in the year, expected a more hostile reception in South Africa.

“I have not heard many chirps since returning to the country and it looks as if people are respecting my decision,” he said.

“However, I’m not paying it much attention because I cannot change how people feel about it. All I want to do is to help my team be successful.”

Meanwhile, Pietersen is having a frustrating time at present. He has been the focal point of England’s batting since making his debut five years ago.

He made his return to the side last week after almost four months out injured.  However, he has been unconvincing in two games.

His struggle to 4 (17 deliveries) against the South African second string was everything but the KP that his team-mates have become accustomed to.