Saturday 18 April 2015 19:53, UK
Peter Moores says Jonathan Trott has earned another chance to prove he is the answer to England's problems at the top of the batting order.
Alastair Cook has not had a consistent opening partner since Andrew Strauss retired, with Joe Root, Nick Compton, Michael Carberry and Sam Robson all failing to nail the spot.
Trott made his name for England as a No 3 but has been promoted on his return after 18 months out battling a case of situational anxiety.
His initial attempts in the drawn first Test against the West Indies in Antigua yielded just four runs in two innings but, despite having in-form Adam Lyth waiting in the wings, Moores is not inclined to drop the 33-year-old so readily.
"I don't think you're looking to change your opening partnership straight away," said Moores ahead of the squad's flight to Grenada for Tuesday's second Test.
"I think Trott has earned his right to get a go. He's come back into our squad and we've watched him play and we can see he is really hungry and playing nicely.
"He's been done by the swinging ball, so he's working hard to get past that challenge, which will be there in Grenada and that is not going to change.
"But what we know about Trott is that once he gets in, he has that fierce determination and concentration to make people pay and that is one of his great strengths as a player.
"I think if you take it in the whole context, that first game back was always going to be quite a tough one. But he's back in and he's got a good chance to go and show what he's got.
"This is a player we've all watched play some brilliant innings for England and I think now is his chance to come back and show he's still got that."
One change Moores would be inclined to make is the addition of all-rounder Moeen Ali who was not fit enough to start the tour after suffering an abdominal strain at the World Cup. However, he has been called up to the squad and will join them on Saturday.
Moeen will be put through his paces to make sure he is ready for five days of international cricket having played just one Championship match for Worcestershire.
But if that goes well, he can expect to come into the side, possibly in place of James Tredwell, who strained his arm diving for a catch late on the final day in Antigua.
"Certainly, Mo is one of the key players for us," said Moores. "He had a fantastic summer last year and a good winter.
"Mo is very much part of our plans. We have to check where he is at because he's had this stomach strain but Mo feels very good about it.
"Tredwell's got a niggle in his arm, diving for the catch that came off Gary's boot. He stretched quite a lot for that.
"We'll see how he scrubs up over the next couple of days and see if he's available for the next Test."
Watch the second Test between West Indies and England live on Sky Sports 2 from 2.30pm on Tuesday.
