Old guard can tango with new kids in a tearing hurry — Trott

London: Jonny Bairstow's barnstorming hundred in Hyderabad, as well as Scott Borthwick's five wickets, has won further acclaim for the young thrusters in England's one-day squad. Yet Jonathan Trott reckons the team still needs dogged old-school players like him.

Trott, who at 30 is the third oldest member of England's squad, was batting at the other end for most of Bairstow's blitzkrieg in which the 22 year-old hammered 104 off 53 balls, making a respectable 73 off 68 balls with six fours.

"I was speaking to Tim Bresnan about it and I can't recall being at the other end and seeing hitting like that," Trott said yesterday.

"I think our batting line-up complements itself quite well. We've got a few players who like to work the ball around and score as much as possible and we've got guys who can clear the ropes. We've got a good blend of everything and it is really exciting the way the team is coming together."

If Trott's reliability makes him a virtual certainty for today's one-dayer, Bairstow must surely play too.

Ian Bell, fit again after missing the practice match with a sore tummy, looks the most likely, but pressure has been exerted throughout the batting order.

"There is always pressure when you play for England," said Trott, recently named as the International Cricket Council's Player of the Year.

Despite that, it looks as if Trott will start the one-day series at three, Kevin Pietersen at four, Bairstow at five and Ravi Bopara six.

The regulars in the bowling attack will be feeling jittery too after 21-year-old Borthwick's impressive five for 31 in Hyderabad, especially Samit Patel, England's second spinner. With the recent changes to 50-over cricket — a new ball at each end and a limitation of when you can take the batting and second fielding powerplays — teams may have to reconsider the role of containing spinners like Patel.

Trott, though, countenances against going overboard with youth. "I've only played in one World Cup, but Australia won their three titles with the oldest squad in each competition, so I don't think getting young players is it," he said.

— The Telegraph Group Limited, London 2011