Heading into the summer some were arguing, very strongly, that Jonathan Trott’s place in the England team was under threat and it wouldn’t be long before Ian Bell or Ravi Bopara replaced him in time for the Ashes.

One series against Bangladesh and half a series against Pakistan later and those questioning the 29-year-old have suddenly gone very quiet. Trott’s double century in the first Test against Bangladesh ensured his place in the team for the remainder of the summer and his continual progress has now guaranteed his place on the plane to Australia in November.

And now instead of the focus being on whether Trott should play, serious question marks are hanging over opener and some-time captain Alistair Cook and the clearly off-form Kevin Pietersen. Us lot in the press have already started to whisper about the prospect of Trott moving up to number two in the order with Cook potentially losing his place to Ian Bell when he returns from injury.

Speaking at the Oval today ahead of the third Pakistan Test, Trott was quick to dismiss concerns about Cook’s form but said he would be willing to step up and open for England if required.

“At the beginning of the Bangladesh series you probably thought I was where he [Cook] is,” he said.

“There are similarities [but] after four Test matches…. It’s amazing how things can change, not as a player but views can be sort of changed.

“Whenever I see Alistair Cook and Andrew Strauss at the crease I feel very secure at number three. Sometime I think I could be waiting till lunchtime to take my pads off again.

“At number three you’ve got to be prepared for anything that happens. Obviously with the new ball, being new at the crease – anything can happen. It’s just one of those things. I certainly look to Alistair as a batting partner and someone I could go to chat about batting. He’s always willing to help me and hopefully the feeling is he can do the same with the guys in the team and he’ll be fine.”

On the prospect of being called upon to potentially open the batting, he added: “At number three I prepare as if I’ll be in against the new ball anyway. I also prepare to come in against spin after 50 overs, so I have to prepare for everything. It’s not something I think about because I don’t think I will have to open to be honest. But if called upon yeah I think I would be able to do it – I have to be able to do it because it’s my job at number three to be able to come in and score big runs having come in in the first over, unfortunately if I have to.

“Whenever you get the opportunity to play for England, whether you’re opening or batting at number seven, it’s just as important.”

Trott now appears considerably more settled within the England set-up than he did at the start of the summer and he could well become one of the most important players Down Under later this year.

Having only faced the Australians once, the final Ashes Test in 2009, he also remains something of an unknown quantity to Ricky Ponting’s men – a factor that could massively play into England’s hands.

On the subject of Ponting’s recent prediction that Australia could win the upcoming series 5-0 – Trott declared with a rueful smile: “I don’t know the guy very well, I don’t know his character or what his meaning is behind saying stuff like that.”

“If I’d have said stuff like that I’d probably find it put more pressure on myself and the team more than if we just got about our business like I know we will.”

Wise words indeed – Trott and England will be enjoying Ponting already making dramatic predictions. Andy Flower’s side know where they need to be leading into the Australia series and clearly think they’re on track.