Andrew Strauss sure of Jonathan Trott's commitment

Andrew Strauss, the England captain, has said he is "100% happy with Jonathan Trott's commitment" and was not concerned by Michael Vaughan's allegations that the batsman celebrated with South Africa after they beat England at Edgbaston in 2008.

"He [Trott] said himself that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He knows a few of those players. I've spoken about it with him and he has a completely clear conscience on the matter," Strauss said. "He said hi and well done to the guys - if I wasn't playing in the Test I'd probably have said the same thing as well."

Trott had a spectacular debut this year, scoring a series-clinching century in the deciding Ashes Test at The Oval and Strauss said he was an "exciting prospect". "To uproot your life and start all over again in another country is a big decision and I'm sure he'll make the most of the opportunity of playing for England."

Strauss was speaking ahead of England's departure for the two-and-a-half month tour of South Africa, a trip which includes Twenty20 internationals, ODIs and Tests. Strauss felt playing South Africa at home was "probably the hardest assignment there is. It's harder than winning the Ashes at home. In pure cricketing terms this is as hard as it gets right now."

England's 15-man squad includes four players with ties to South Africa. Wicketkeeper Matt Prior and Strauss himself were born in Johannesburg, while Trott and Kevin Pietersen moved to England after spending their formative years in South Africa. Pietersen had received a hostile reception from the South African crowd when he toured there five years ago and a similar welcome could lie in store for Trott. Strauss, however, insisted that it wouldn't be a distraction to England's goal.

"In terms of trying to win the Test series, it won't be a big issue but it might bubble away in the background," Strauss said. "All I can say is the selectors sit down and pick the best 15 England qualified players. The fact some of them have been born out of these shores is of no consequence.

"They've obviously had the determination, hunger and desire - possibly more than some people in county cricket. They deserve to be playing for England because of that. As captain I'm very happy that the 15 players I've got are 100% committed to performing for England and representing their country."

England begin their tour with a warm-up match against the Eagles on November 6 in Bloemfontein and have two more practice games ahead of the first Twenty20 international against South Africa in Johannesburg on November 13.

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Honeymooner Trott ready for next trip

Jonathan Trott believes he will be fit and refreshed to resume his fledgling England career in South Africa next month.

Trott will be returning from his honeymoon in the United States.

The Warwickshire right-hander made a dream start to his Test career when he memorably hit a century on debut as England clinched the Ashes at the Oval in August.

It was a heady beginning for the South African-born right-hander, although he has just made just one appearance in an England shirt since - against minnows Ireland in a one-day international.

Trott's Oval success had come too late for him to be included in England's squad for the ODI series with Australia and subsequent Champions Trophy.

The 28-year-old believes, however, that the spell away from the England set-up may have been a blessing in disguise as he was able to remove himself from the spotlight that had threatened to intensify after his debut heroics.

After finishing the season back with Warwickshire, Trott used his break to go on honeymoon to the United States where he said he was able to get his mind of cricket ahead of his first England tour to his homeland this winter.

"I have been away from the game for a bit which helps me relax. I have been away on my honeymoon actually," he told Press Association Sport.

"We got married in April at the start of the season, but obviously with the cricket season we never got a chance to go away on honeymoon.

"It's definitely good to get away"

"We went over to the USA to San Francisco and Las Vegas. I'm really into my US sports so I got to catch the 49ers in San Francisco and watch the Yankees in a play-off game.

"It's definitely good to get away. I had been playing non-stop for Warwickshire since the final Test so I didn't have much time to get away from cricket.

"When I was younger I thought that the best way to be was to play and practice as much as you possibly could; get into the nets and hit balls. Now I realise it is good to get away and take some time out to relax. That can be just as important.

"But certainly by the time that October 31 comes around (when the England players meet before flying out to South Africa) I will be chomping at the bit to get back out there and hit some balls again."

When England last toured South Africa five years ago Kevin Pietersen was granted a hostile reception from the home fans who felt the Pietermaritzburg-born right-hander had turned his back on his country of birth.

Trott, who appeared for South Africa's Under-15 and Under-19 teams before moving to England in 2002, is hopeful that he will not be subjected to similar taunts, but does not believe it will affect him should it happen.

"I have friends over in South Africa I have spoken to and they've said the feeling is I should be fine," said Trott, who was promoting the recently-released 'The Ashes 2009 Series' DVD.

"I certainly have no animosity towards South Africa and the way cricket has been run there and I don't think the cricket public there think badly of me for leaving.
"I'm not going to say I'm not expecting anything, it could happen. I can't change what the fans do or think, but whatever happens I will try not let it affect me."
Asked if he felt any apprehension about travelling to his homeland for his first international tour Trott said: "No not really. I wouldn't say it is apprehension but more wanting to make sure that I take the chance.

"While I am keen to do that I am also conscious of keeping in check my desire and to not get caught up in everything around being in the touring team.

"I don't want to worry about what is happening off the field and just focus on what I am doing."

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