JONATHAN Trott is emerging as an unlikely hero as England build towards the limited overs World Cup next month.

There is no doubting his ability in the longer format of the game, but it was difficult to see how he could fit in when the pressure is on to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

But he is showing there is no barrier to technique by top-scoring in each of the last two one-day internationals – the latest being the ton that helped England to a long overdue victory.

He might not score at a run a ball but, without him, his country would have been embarrassed.

The Warwickshire ace is assuming a similar role to the one he has in the Test team, as the man who holds it all together.

And now he is chipping in with key wickets, like the ones of David Hussey and Cameron White yesterday, he is becoming an integral member of the side.

His medium-paced bowling could prove to be a useful weapon on the slow and low wickets of the sub-Continent when the World Cup comes around and he can certainly lay a good platform with the bat.

Hopefully, England can now build on their first victory of the series by winning a few more matches.

It has been a case of After the Lord Mayor’s Show in the opening three games, with the England team struggling to raise themselves after climbing their Everest in the Ashes.

And they have not been able to field their first choice bowling attack of Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann and Tim Bresnan at any point.

Andrew Strauss’s men will be a different proposition once that quartet are back in the side and firing on all cylinders.

Suddenly, England’s prospects look much rosier. It’s amazing what difference a win makes.