Jonathan Trott back in England colours as KP attacks Graham Gooch

Trott has recovered determinedly since he was disrupted by the pace and intent of Mitchell Johnson in the first Test of the Ashes in November 2013

Jonathan Trott has been recalled to the England Test squad (Getty Images)

Jonathan Trott is likely to resume his England career tomorrow 16 months after he looked washed up. He is favourite to start as Alastair Cook’s opening partner in the tour warm-up on Easter Monday and then in the Test against West Indies which begins in a week's time.

While England were making no official announcements, the reflections on Trott’s past contributions indicated that he would be preferred to tour newcomer Adam Lyth. It would be a notable comeback if one imbued with risk.

Trott has recovered determinedly since he was disrupted by the pace and intent of Mitchell Johnson in the first Test of the Ashes in November 2013. He finished last season in peak form for Warwickshire and was a superb England Lions captain in South Africa in January when he scored a double hundred.

But as he left Australia it was said that his stress-related condition had affected him all his career, though he had found ways to cope. With that in mind, England must recognise his recall is a gamble.

Predictably, they could not go about their work without Kevin Pietersen being mentioned. In a BBC interview, the former captain and coach Graham Gooch said Pietersen was still good enough, had easily won the PR battle and was looked at as England’s saviour. “It is a great media story to get Kevin back in, but I think if he doesn’t get a call-up, he will be off to the Caribbean Premier League mid-summer.”

To which Pietersen, as ever measured, tweeted: “Graham Gooch – you captained a rebel tour of SA, got banned & then returned to the England team. I don’t think I’ve done anything as bad!”

So it goes on.