Trott dismisses talk of pressure on Strauss ahead of second Test

For the first time since inheriting the role over three years ago, Strauss has been forced to defend his position after a run of four successive Test defeats and a personal struggle to reach three figures that dates back to November 2010.

Strauss is unlikely to be in immediate danger of the axe, even if England make it five defeats in a row in tomorrow’s second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

But, with Strauss having previously passed reins to Cook in one-day internationals, an anointed successor is already in place and only wins or runs – preferably both – will remove the question marks.

Yet Trott, England’s outstanding batsman in the 75-run defeat in Galle with a gutsy 112 in the fourth innings, believes Strauss can take his lead from his deputy.

Cook was under fierce media scrutiny after a run of poor scores, but battled through to retain his place for the Ashes trip Down Under, going on to score 766 runs in a remarkable series.

Trott sees no reason why Strauss cannot enjoy a similar turnaround.

“Every player goes through ups and downs,” said Trott. “When someone is not scoring as many runs as they would like, or expect of themselves, it is always highlighted by you guys (the media).

“But I’m sure it will have a similar effect as it did when Alastair Cook came through his little slump. I’m surprised you guys haven’t learned your lesson from that.”

Trott did admit that all of England’s batsmen had badly let the team down in the first innings of the first Test against Sri Lanka.

The tourists were dismissed for 193 in less than 47 overs on a pitch that was not misbehaving in any meaningful way.

That was something of a throwback to the 3-0 Test defeat against Pakistan earlier this year, where England posted 300 just once in six attempts.

“We’ve seen when we’ve won Test matches before that we’ve scored big runs – it’s a common factor in winning games,” he said.

“We still want to go out there and put in big totals in the first innings, but we haven’t been able to do that, first in the UAE and now here.

“We’re no different as a team, we haven’t changed our way of playing, but it just hasn’t worked out for us.

“We’ve had bad sessions with the bat and getting bowled out in 40-odd overs was a bit of a sin because the wicket was pretty good and we should have capitalised.”

If England are to end a disappointing winter campaign with a first victory of the year, they will need more of their top six to show the same application Trott displayed in his five-and-a-half-hour century in Galle. He insisted there was no secret to his knock, but emphasised the need for a slice of fortune.

“I just played normally, I didn’t try going in with any pre-conceived idea about how I was going to play,” he said. “I had a bit of luck early on and rode it.

“You certainly need a bit of luck in these conditions with a lot of catchers around the bat... you need the ball to bounce in the right areas.

“Things went my way and hopefully it goes the way for me and the rest of the lads this week.”

Trott’s words of support for Strauss were echoed by pace bowler Steven Finn.

“I don’t think there’s any question that he won’t be in charge throughout the summer and beyond,” he said. “He’s a great captain, everyone here’s backing him and this is something that just hasn’t come up within the team because no one in the team believes it’s valid. Straussy will score runs and that’s that. Straussy leads from the front. He’s an exceptional leader, he’s a levelling person. When we have our highs we don’t ride them too high and when we have our lows we don’t ride them too low. And that’s what a great captain does, I think.”

Finn, himself, is desperate for the chance to replace Stuart Broad as England look to end their four-match losing streak in Colombo tomorrow.

Broad was sent home with a calf strain on Friday. His reliable new-ball partnership with James Anderson, as well as his ability to provide a strong batting option at No 8, has been crucial to England’s plans in a challenging winter and his injury poses major questions.

Finn possesses the pace and wicket-taking threat to step into his shoes, but lacks the control and the lower-order runs.

Tim Bresnan is economical and at least Broad’s equal with the bat, but would be considered a gamble in a two-man pace attack.

Finn, who has 50 wickets in just 12 matches, would have been a certain pick for his country in years gone by, but England have an enviable stock of fast bowlers at the moment.

“Broady is a massive part of the team and will be missed. He’s a huge and important player for us but we’ve got a group of guys waiting in the wings who can cover for him,” said Finn, whose last Test appearance came when Sri Lanka visited Lord’s in June.

“We don’t know who is going to play, but if I get my opportunity I’m ready to take it.

“It will be testing in these conditions for seam bowlers but I like a challenge.

“I have felt as though I have been ready for a little while now.

“I have done a lot of bowling this winter and a lot of work on becoming a better bowler.

“Hopefully I can now go on and reap the rewards of that if I get a chance.”