Jonathan Trott took the starring role but was quick to praise a great team performance after the Bears lifted the Royal London Cup with a brilliant eight-wicket win over Surrey at Lord’s.
Trott’s classy unbeaten 82 ensured that the Bears cruised past Surrey’s total of 136 with almost 20 overs to spare.
He duly took the man-of-the-match award – but was quick to flag up the massive part played by the bowlers in one of the most emphatic victories in the history of Lord’s cup finals.
“It’s nice to be able to come to these games and contribute,” Trott said. “As an ex-international player who has been playing for a few years you want to set the bar high for yourself and the younger players around you – but so many of our guys stood up and performed superbly today.
“Look at Tim Ambrose who got over an injury to play in this game and kept wicket really well and scored runs. Jeetan Patel did what he does so often with the ball and all the bowlers did their job superbly.
“In the first half of the game, especially, we did really well. Jason Roy and Steven Davies gave Surrey a good start but we held our nerve really well, took some great catches and that set up the game for us.
“We showed our quality which is what we should be doing. We are an experienced team so we need to be competing in these finals and winning them.
“It’s my fourth final and I think it’s the first time I have got more than 15 or 20 so for me that’s really nice. “
Trott’s match-shaping innings ensured that his excellent 50-over form this season continued right through to the end – and continued his fine recent form at Lord’s where he scored a championship double-century this season.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing at Lord’s and it’s been good to me over the years,” he said. “As a youngster you just want to play at the home of cricket and I didn’t so well in my early years but as time has gone on I’ve scored a few runs and that’s always nice. Maybe it’s the lunches!”
