World Cricket II

[wizzy]

yOv, ingilAndhu passport vachchurukkAruyyA. appadippatta aaLaik kooda sErththukka koodaadhunnA ennaiyyA arththam?

was he English whilst playing junior cricket for SA...apadi paatha Ryan Harris-um double passport holder..appo avunum English-a

Telegraph did raise some pertinent points when he debuted which still holds good with SA touring next month.

Trott says he feels English, but like Kevin Pietersen, he only moved to England as a professional in his early twenties. Clearly, he is English enough to play for England. But culturally, he'll always be South African. Because you can change your national allegiances, and even change your accent (though Trott hasn't). But you can't change your upbringing. You don’t become a different person by working overseas in your twenties, any expat will tell you that.

But England's 'we' status will be tested this winter, particularly when Pietersen and Trott, those two sons of South Africa, are batting together for England against the country – and the culture – that created them. I've got nothing against either individual. And if you're picking ringers you might as well pick good ones.

But it’s ultimately a numbers game. With one South African in the team, England were still 'we'. But with two South Africans in the team? Three? Four? Eleven?