Experience Shunned as Trott gets the Nod

England’s desperation to revive their Ashes hopes in the fifth and final Ashes test has forced them into the rash call-up of un-tried Warwickshire batsman Jonathan Trott.

The 28-year old was an un-used member of the last test squad at Headingley, but after the poor form of Ravi Bopara, whose been dropped from the squad for this final test, and Trott’s own impressive county form in which he averages over 90 he was given the call up ahead of Mark Ramprakash and Robert Key.

However the selector’s desperation, and the scant replacements for the struggling Essex batsman has been highlighted by this call up, which considering Trott has no test match experience is massive gamble.

As if giving Trott his debut in an Ashes test isn’t enough, giving him his first run-out in this critical fifth test, one that England have to win is a call that the selectors might live to regret.

There’s no doubt that Trott has the pedigree in first class Cricket, and he couldn’t be entering the test match arena at a better stage of his career.

The experienced Ramprakash and Key were overlooked for Trott and these snubs for the duo confirms the ECB’s mindset on closing the door firmly in the face of former England players.

It’s encouraging that they’re keen to bring players through, but with it being a one off test match, there would have been no harm in introducing one of those batsmen, or even Somerset’s Marcus Trescothick.

Trott’s experience, one sure to be daunting for the Warwickshire man might scar him for the remainder of his international career, if all goes badly.

His team-mate Ian Bell has been retained after his mid-week hundred, and the England batting line-up will mirror the one at the pairs county with Bell coming in at three and Trott at four.

Elsewhere England are yet again considering the choice of two spinners, with Monty Panesar re-called for the fifth test.

Steve Harmison and Graeme Onions will now compete for the final birth in the England bowling line-up with Ryan Sidebottom, who impressed the selectors with a fine return to form at Trent Bridge last week.

However the trio are sure to be competing for only one place with the expected return of Andrew Flintoff, but if a second spinner is preferred all three bowlers will have to watch from the sideline.

Australia warmed up for the fifth test by scoring 340 for 9 in their tour match at Canterbury against the England Lions, with Shane Watson yet again missing out on a century.

The opener scored 95 off 85 balls in truly blistering style while Michael Hussy made a credible 65.

Sunday will be vital for Australia in terms of their selection for the final test, with Brett Lee returning with the ball for the first time on the tour.

His lack of cricket may well work against him when selection is finally discussed, but his hostile treatment of batsman with the ball, and his experience in the lower order could be priceless in this pressure filled test match.

But with four days till the beginning of the final test match, England have all but revealed their team with Australia seemingly keeping their cards close to their chest.