Trott grimaces and bears it in England cause

That Jonathan Trott, in obvious discomfort after being struck on the hand by Dale Steyn, would be bound for hospital as soon as his innings was over could be taken for granted, but he was in no rush to begin the journey. Midway through the innings, he was still ensconced as England made steady, if not entirely trouble-free, progress towards a victory that would put them 2-1 up with one to play and secure their hold on No. 1 in the ODI rankings.
 Steyn's fiery new-ball spell accounted for Alastair Cook with the last ball of his first over, a fast inswinger which trapped England's captain in front of off stump. It was a high-class delivery which exposed what has become a bit of a weakness. Trott took a blow on the hand in Steyn's third over and needed pain-killing spray and tablets as he batted on manfully in obvious discomfort. One uppercut over point off Lonwabo Tsotsobe was followed by a curse at the pain.
 But England's target of 221, perhaps 30 under par, allowed them time to weather the storm. They reached drinks, after 15 overs, in decent shape at 58 for 1 and then when South Africa took the bowling Powerplay, Ian Bell took command as a reckless edge wide of the slips was followed by a sumptuous cover drive. A six over extra-cover against the spin of Robin Peterson was his photographer's moment.
 If one Warwickshire batsman looked serene, his county partner regularly grimaced in pain, taking his right hand off the bat on occasions to guard it against further damage. He was not as much a bear with a sore head as a Bear with a sore hand. It would be a surprise, on this evidence, if he played in the final ODI at Trent Bridge on Wednesday.