5 Things Learned After First Ashes Test

4. Position Vacant: England No. 3

Michael Vaughn pulled no punches when referring to Jonathan Trott's second innings as the worst he had seen from a No. 3 English Batsman. I am sure the former England captain has seen lesser scores than the 9 that Trott scraped together during his tenure at the crease but few would say that it was at all a convincing or assertive 9. Sheer pace bowling when bowled well and cleverly has been known to be Trott's kryptonite on more than one occasion- both in the one dayers between Australia and England earlier this year where Mitchell Johnson was his chief tormentor once again as well as a Test Series against South Africa. The first ball that Trott faced against Johnson he bowled a brute of a bouncer that reared off the pitch and struck Trott on the top glove as he played a very unconvincing shot from on the crease. Johnson bowled cleverly thereafter on leg stump to Trott who tried to move to the off side and scythe his bat around in a fashion that at best could be described as 'novel'. Trott though is a mentally tough cricketer who should be able to work through this. Many would be stunned therefore to learn that Trott has taken his fate out of the English selectors hands by flying home in order to recover from a stress related illness- an issue that no one would envy. So while Trott recovers from his ailment, the question is who will take over the Number 3 spot? Ian Bell seems the obvious choice