JACK Brooks was quick to praise Jonathan Trott’s stamina as both impressed with the bat on duty for England Lions.

Trott batted for almost 11 hours as he made an unbeaten 211 against South Africa A in an unofficial Test at Paarl.

Brooks, from Tiddington, is on tour for his bowling, but he showed plenty of flair at the crease.

The 30-year-old blasted two sixes in his 53 not out off 38 balls.

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It was Brooks’s career-best innings, which was previously 53 in the County Championship for Northamptonshire versus Gloucestershire at Bristol in 2010.

His rapid knock accounted for the vast majority of the 63-run partnership with Trott, which came from 50 balls.

But Brooks was left to marvel at his captain’s ability to stay focused for such a long period of time.

The former Oxfordshire bowler said: “I don’t know how he can bat for so long – I get bored after 20 minutes.

“He must just love batting and it takes so much pressure off the rest of us.

“To have him in the team and that experience and calmness around the team is brilliant for the other lads to bounce off.”

The pair’s efforts guided England to 624-8 declared, in response to the hosts’ first innings of 504-8.

South Africa batted out the remaining 32 overs of the final day, reaching 92-2 before the game ended in a draw.

Brooks, who had figures of 0-94 from his 23 overs in the first innings, was more economical second time around, finishing with 0-17 from six overs.

He believes the squad can move on to the second unofficial Test in Bloemfontein, which begins on Sunday, in good spirits.

He said: “We started slowly, but adjusted and ended up on top so hopefully we can take the momentum into the next game and learn that we’re a skilful unit, if we get it right we can bowl them out.”

RESULT

South Africa 504-8 dec & 92-2 drew with England Lions 624-8 dec (J Trott 211no, L Plunkett 55, J Brooks 53no).

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