Jonathan Trott should be ready for hostile reception in South Africa: Flower

LONDON - England team director Andy Flower has asked South African-born batsman Jonathan Trott to be prepared for a hostile reaction when he plays against the Proteas in November.

Flower believes that Kevin Pietersen has now proved himself sufficiently to enjoy respect from South African crowds, but Trott should expect a repeat of the spiteful reaction shown towards his compatriot in 2004 when he headed back for the first time in England colours.

“When I saw Jonathan, he knew this stuff (Vaughan’s allegation) was coming out in the papers and he was quite comfortable with it,” The Times quoted Flower, as saying.

“He told me that he had a very clear conscience, that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time but that there was nothing malicious about it at all. I believe him.

“He is perfectly committed and we are happy to have him. I watched him prepare for the Ashes Test at the Oval, saw him play in that Test, his debut, and nothing since has changed my opinion that he is 100 per cent committed to this team and this country. I can assure everybody of that,” Flower said.

Flower pointed to a long line of players including Allan Lamb, Tony Greig and Graeme Hick who left southern Africa to play for England, suggesting that the cases of Trott and Pietersen are no different.