ENG v PAK 2020: England on track to reclaim No.1 spot in Test rankings, says Jonathan Trott 

Trott believes the Joe Root-led England side is heading in the right direction.

Trott backed Root's team to go the distance | GettyEngland making a resounding comeback this summer with three successive Test wins since the defeat against West Indies in Southampton has inspired confidence in Jonathan Trott that the side isn't far away from reclaiming the No.1 tag in ICC Test rankings. 

Trott, key batsman in England's surge to the pinnacle spot in 2011 and the side's batting coach for the ongoing series versus Pakistan, thinks the current squad is on its way to achieving greatness in the near future.

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While the difference between the side that Trott helped win Test series in Australia, India and the current Joe Root-led one is obvious in terms of experience, ability and the sheer weight of results so far, the former batsman thinks Root and company are on the right track.

"I was lucky to play in that side," Cricbuzz quoted one of England's finest. "I often find myself talking to ex-teammates about how good it was and reminiscing again."

"It is a different stage. Guys then were in their late 20s. Openers who had played over 100 Tests, four and five played over 100 Tests. At the moment we only have two bowlers with over 100 Tests. So the batting side is different. These are exciting players but at a different stage of their careers and that can only be good for English cricket."

"It is in good hands. The way guys are going about it in Test cricket and steps taken to hopefully getting back to No. 1 in the world are in place and they're going about in the right way. Test victories like the last game put you on track to go and do that, they give you confidence," Trott added. 

One way to be recognised as a truly developing England side would be to improve the country's record in Ashes rivalry in Australia. The three lions have suffered results as bad as 5-0 in 2013-14 and 4-0 in 2017-18 seasons down under since Trott and his mates pulled off one of the finest performances in a historic 3-0 series win in 2010-11. 

While England teams have often been founding wanting when it comes to the wicket-taking edge with both pace and spin on placid surfaces in Australia, there have been some good decisions made in recent times to resurrect that issue. 

Which is why, Trott hopes that the COVID-19 pandemic doesn't further affect England's fixture-list, and as a result, its planning and preparation, in the period leading upto to the next visit in 15 months time. 

"The dedication and desire is there but it is how much cricket is played after this series and in the winter, to accelerate that process and build as a unit," said Trott. 

"When you have continuity and the team selects itself you have confidence in each other and then you start building the relationships, on and off the field."

"You get the familiarity batting together. So it's not just becoming comfortable as an individual but as a pair."

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 17 Aug, 2020

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