Trott takes relaxed view as Bairstow stakes claim to face India in opener

Trott has England’s highest ODI batting average by a clear 10 runs per innings, and superior by a little more than that to anyone in the current team.

The No 3 is fourth on the worldwide all-time averages list which is dominated by players of the modern era, and also has a serviceable strike rate which exceeds those of at least two fellow frontline batsmen among his team-mates.

Yet the anomaly is that, whenever England need to make a choice – as they do for tomorrow’s first ODI against India at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium – Trott’s name still seems to come most readily to some minds as the potential fall guy.

However, the man himself welcomes the batting rivalries which have become still more acute because of Bairstow.

“It’s not a case of looking over your shoulder,” said the 30-year-old International Cricket Council world player of the year.

“You can’t go very far forward if you’re looking over your shoulder the whole time.

“I don’t think that’s a very good mentality to have, worrying about your own place.”

Trott is confident, too, that his team-mates share that one-for-all attitude which has been such a part of England’s success under coach Andy Flower.

“Whichever XI is selected have to go out there with the full backing of each other and the guys off the field,” he added.

“It is not a case of wondering what the selection is going to be.

“You certainly go out there wanting to play for each other. It’s your job to do that, do your best for England.”

It is hard to see how Bairstow can possibly be left out of the team to face India after he followed up last month’s match-winning debut innings against the same opponents with an astounding 104 not out from just 53 balls against an outclassed Hyderabad CA XI on Tuesday.

Others who could conceivably make way are headed by Ian Bell, a late absentee because of a stomach bug, or even Kevin Pietersen, who is yet to hit form in two innings on tour since being rested for the NatWest Series victory at home to India last month.

England do not need to make that tough call for another day and Trott is convinced that, whoever misses out, team harmony will be unaffected.

“I think it’s the healthy way to go,” he added. “You don’t want to have a thing where people are worried and trying to look after their own places.

“You’ve got to go out there and play the attacking brand of cricket that is expected of you when you pull on the England shirt and helmet.”

He cites the changing of the guard between Paul Collingwood and Eoin Morgan in Test cricket last year as an example of natural evolution for the common good.