JONATHAN TROTT cast off his Mr Tension tag yesterday and laid an early claim to an Ashes place. Trott helped himself to a second century in two home Tests as England embarked on a predictable runfest against Bangladesh.
He finished with 175 not out as England ended day one of the npower First Test at Lord's on 362-4.
Captain Andrew Strauss made 83 in his first England innings for more than four months.
Trott looked unrecognisable from the man who last winter was put through the wringer by South Africa and then reduced to a state of nervous, shotless, self-flagellation in Bangladesh.
He is the man whose place is under most pressure when the resting Paul Collingwood returns to the Test side against Pakistan in July.
But his century might force the selectors to reconsider their pecking order, especially as Ian Bell was out for just 17.
One of them is likely to play in the Ashes series in Australia later this year - but only one of them.
It is clear England's hierarchy want Eoin Morgan in the Ashes team and his first Test innings has so far brought 40 not out.
He might be the first man in history to hit his first Test boundary with a reverse sweep - aka the Paddy Whack.
Trott scored a century on his Test debut in the cauldron of last summer's Ashes decider at The Oval and has now added another at the home of cricket. The matches in between were the problem.
By the time he reached Bangladesh in March, Trott had become as anxious as Mark Ramprakash used to be for England. A couple of iffy decisions and a dropped dolly catch did not help his mindset, either.
But the South African-born player was positive from the start yesterday, unfurling several crisp drives and his favourite flick through midwicket.
It was only Bangladesh, of course, and their attack was little more than minor county standard.
Trott knew he was in a no-win situation. If he failed, it was a further sign of mental fragility. If he succeeded, he could be accused of scoring easy runs and making a pig of himself.
Not surprisingly, he chose the latter option and he certainly responded to Strauss' pre-match request for England batsmen to score more big hundreds.
He scratched his crease incessantly as usual but there was less of the delaying between balls that so infuriated the South Africans.
Bangladesh put England into bat - their way of avoiding facing James Anderson, Steve Finn and Co on a gloomy morning - and Alastair Cook was soon given out lbw by umpire Ashoka de Silva even though TV replays suggested the ball was too high.
There is no referral system in place here so Cook could not be reprieved.
Sky, the host broadcaster, and the ICC failed to agree who should pay for the equipment, although the system is likely to be in place for next week's Second Test at Old Trafford.
Strauss was quickly into his stride and pulled medium-pacer Robiul Islam for six and then clipped him for four two balls later.
England's captain, who appeared after lunch wearing a pair of fluorescent orange gloves, was closing in on another century at Lord's when he chopped on to his stumps.
Kevin Pietersen, wearing a d'Artagnan-style goatee, was out to a left-arm spinner yet again when he aimed a big drive at Shakib Al Hasan and missed.
Bell received the best delivery of the day, a nip-backer down the slope from Rubel Hossain.
There was a nasty moment when a pull shot by Morgan struck Imrul Kayes on the head at short leg. His helmet saved him from serious injury but he still needed to be helped off the field.
Trott and Morgan have put on 104 for the fourth wicket and there could be some real fireworks today.
