Trott puts trust in Cook

Jonathan Trott would have been ready to replace Alastair Cook at the top of England's batting order but is glad the selectors kept faith with the opener.

Cook has been badly out of sorts, mustering just 100 Test runs in seven visits to the crease this summer, and Trott had been touted as a potential stand-in had the left-hander been sent back to county cricket to find his form.

But Cook was named in the starting team the third npower Test against Pakistan, and Trott said: "Whenever I see Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss at the crease I feel very secure. I'm sure he'll be fine."

Trott who will resume at number three, added: "At the beginning of the Bangladesh series I was probably where he is now.

"It's only four Test matches since then so it's amazing how things change.

On the prospect of opening himself, he added: "It's not something I've thought a lot about as I don't think I'll have to open.

"But if it's something that's asked of me I think I could do it because it's my job as a number three to be able to score big runs from the first over if I have to.

"(In) the last Test of the Bangladesh series I was asked to do it and it was fine. Whether it's opening or batting at seven, it's just as important to be able to contribute to the team."