The Ashes Cricket 2013: Jonathan Trott's Form a Concern Ahead of Australia Tour

Jonathan Trott's form is something of a concern for England as they begin to cast their eye toward this year's return Ashes series in Australia.

Trott has been incredibly dependable since coming into the England Test team in 2009, batting at number three.

But the 32-year-old has made just one half-century in the series so far and has uncharacteristically got out on several occasions after making a start.

Trott began the series with a career average over 50 but that has now dropped to 47.64 after the most disappointing run of his career.

The runs of Ian Bell have hidden some shortcomings in the England top order as they successfully retained the Ashes, but Trott's form is a potential issue.

But it's not just the scores that are a concern for England as Australia's bowlers appear to have targeted a weakness in Trott's game, as John Townsend of the Independent noted of his second innings dismissal at the Riverside:

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Australia have attacked Trott on and around leg-stump all series. They reasoned that little could stop the right-hander shuffling across his crease to hit through midwicket, but the lateral movement made him vulnerable to deliveries outside his body.

Leg slip has been employed for the past few innings and Harris got him nicking legside at Old Trafford. The dismissal showed the same method as wicketkeeper Brad Haddin took his 23rd catch of the series, but the manner of the strike had a vastly different complexion.

Trott was unbalanced and askew as the ball leapt at him and grazed the fending glove on the way through to Haddin.

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Burly Australian quick Harris also accounted for the South African-raised batsman in the first knock at Lord's with another bumper.

Trott will look to return to form in the final match at The Oval ahead of the five-match winter series in Australia, which begins on November 21 in Brisbane.

There is no question of Trott being dropped but he, Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen will need to return to somewhere near their best form with Harris spearheading the Australia attack.