Trott’s consistency key to England form, insists Vaughan

The steady one-day batting method of Trott, who top-scored for England with 109 not out off 104 balls in Sunday’s loss to New Zealand that confirmed overall defeat in the NatWest Series, continues to divide opinion.

Whether or not the 32-year-old accrues his runs quickly enough is a frequently-raised question, but former Yorkshire star Vaughan believes Trott’s statistics vindicate what he does and that the real focus should be on what is being delivered by those around him in the batting order.

Asked if he felt the criticism might start to get to Trott, Vaughan – who led England to Ashes glory in 2005 – said: “I hope not, because I think it is nonsense, I really do.

“The Trott debate was a debate maybe two years ago, but it is null and void now because he has scored 2,500 runs.

“He has a strike rate of 75. I know that if everyone strikes at 75, the average score will be 225. What is important are the other players around him – they are the ones I would be looking at rather than Jonathan Trott.

“You have got someone who bats at No 3, he averages 50, and you know he is dependable and consistent – now produce some players around that that can be more powerful and just allow him to play and anchor the innings, which he does on a regular basis.

“If you have someone who averages 50 and regularly scores you runs, the rest of the batting order should be able to play the natural game, be a bit more aggressive and get you to the 275-325 target.

“Whoever is criticising Trott at this moment in time, they don’t know the game.”

England’s series defeat – it is 2-0 to New Zealand ahead of today’s third and final one-day international at Trent Bridge – is their first at home since 2009. It is something which, given their Champions Trophy campaign gets under way on Saturday against Australia at Edgbaston, Vaughan thinks has come very much at the “wrong time” from a mental point of view – although he has no doubt victory at the weekend would swiftly address that issue.

“England have got a great chance of winning the Champions Trophy,” said Vaughan. “But they have chosen the wrong time to lose the first series since 2009.”

Match: Starts today at 2pm.

Coverage: Live on Sky Sports 1 from 1.30pm.

Venue: Trent Bridge.

England team (from): AN Cook (Captain), IR Bell, IJL Trott, JE Root, EJG Morgan, JC Buttler (wkt), TT Bresnan, SCJ Broad, JC Tredwell, WB Rankin, ST Finn, JM Anderson.

New Zealand team (from): B McCullum (Captain), L Ronchi (wkt), M Guptill, K Williamson, R Taylor, G Elliott, J Franklin, N McCullum, T Southee, M McClenaghan, K Mills, D Bracewell.

Umpires: A Dar (Pak) and R Illingworth.

Third umpire: S Davis (Aus).

Match referee: D Boon (Aus).