CRICKET : England coach Andy Flower expects Jonathan Trott to receive a “hostile reception” in South Africa this winter.
England coach Andy Flower expects Jonathan Trott to receive a “hostile reception” in South Africa this winter.
England’s cricketers fly out to Bloemfontein on Saturday evening after a week in which Trott was criticised by former England captain Michael Vaughan, who revealed in his autobiography that the Warwickshire batsman was spotted celebrating with South African players after they beat England at Edgbaston in 2008.
Trott was born in Cape Town but scored a century for England in his only Test to date in the Ashes decider at The Oval this summer, and Flower said: “They (the South African fans) will have seen his performance at The Oval against Australia. I am sure he will get a bit of a hostile reception.”
He added: “I saw Trotty on Wednesday and he knew stuff was coming out in the papers and he was comfortable about it.
“He said ‘Look, I’ve got a clear conscience about it. I was caught up in the wrong place at the wrong time.’
“There was nothing malicious about it at all and I agree with him and believe him.”
Flower was also born in Cape Town but represented Zimbabwe and insisted he had no problems with Trott and Kevin Pietersen, both born and bred in South Africa, facing their former countrymen.
He said: “The England teams historically have had people like Allan Lamb, Tony Greig and Graeme Hick. I don’t see it being any different to that.
“From watching Trott in preparation for The Oval Test and in the Test itself he is 100% committed to this team and this country. I am quite happy with the situation.”
