The Ashes Cricket 2013: Jonathan Trott Holds the Key to Further Ashes Success

With the fourth Test of the 2013 Ashes series came another occasion of the competition in which Jonathan Trott truly ranked among one of the more crucial performers after a brief England collapse.

Up until the Durham trial, Trott had looked largely reliable in his duties, numerous times providing the stability between his country’s opening batsmen and middle order for a smoother transition.

However, that was not to be the case on the northeast ground during the second innings of England’s latest examination, where Trott’s dismissal started off a string of them for the English.

According to the Express’ Gideon Brooks, Trott commented after Friday’s opening day action: "My dismissal sort of started it and I was a little disappointed in getting out in a soft way. The ball wasn’t really turning a huge amount and we have had a lot of success against spin in the past."

It’s that exact spin that England were relying on to run in their favour, too. Given the damp weather of late, it was only more obvious that the Riverside Ground’s pitch was going to play its role in Test four, and it hasn’t disappointed.

Trott did manage to grab 49 runs before being caught at short leg by Nathan Lyon and teeing up Usman Khawaja for the easy catch.

This ended up beginning a very evident England downward slope. Modestly, Trott has held his hands up and admitted his easy out didn’t make things any easier for those around him.

BBC Twitter activity was quick to point out Trott's success:

In the second innings, things haven’t looked any brighter for the Warwickshire man, who could muster just 23 runs before being caught as a result of some wonderful Ryan Harris bowling.

Luckily for England, their strength in bowling ensured that a very average first innings score was pulled back into contention for winning the fourth Test.

At the moment, things could very much go one of two ways in a very finely poised fourth Test at the Riverside Ground.

With that in mind, it’s on Trott’s shoulders that rests just how well England come through this victorious Ashes series, despite assuring themselves of the win in Manchester.

Poised precariously between Joe Root at two in the order and Kevin Pietersen at four, just how Trott plays, whether it be with confidence or ending in the slightly more dour mood of Test four’s first innings, will decide the success of those around him to an extent.