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Trott to hot to handle

England new boy Jonathan Trott chipped in with a valuable 44 as Warwickshire made a winning start in the Twenty20 Cup with a seven-run victory over Somerset at Edgbaston.

Recovering from their semi-final defeat by Hampshire in the Friends Provident Trophy, the Bears raised a total of 161 for six and held on as the West Country visitors replied with 154 for eight.

Trott marked his international selection by rebuilding Warwickshire's innings in a partnership of 71 in nine overs with Tim Ambrose, the in-form wicketkeeper-batsman who could be the next Edgbaston-based player in the England reckoning.

Repairing the damage done by Andrew Caddick in an opening spell of two for 27, they picked holes in a second-line attack after Somerset's decision to rest regular seamers Charl Willoughby and Steffan Jones.

Trott, always strong off his legs, hit six fours from 37 balls and Ambrose - continuing a run of impressive one-day performances - faced only 35 deliveries for his 47, which included seven boundaries.

When they were caught, going for big shots on the off-side in successive overs from the Pavilion End by Cameron White and Mark Turner, Tim Groenewald (21) and Heath Streak (17 not out) came in to give the innings a final lift.

Caddick, still the master of his art at the age of 38, applied early pressure with a brilliant maiden over, finishing with a perfect slower ball that spread-eagled Alex Loudon's stumps.

Darren Maddy, the leading batsman in the competition in the last four seasons with Leicestershire, made an electric start for his new county by scoring 24 from 11 balls. Caddick responded by knocking out his off stump and Gareth Andrew removed Jim Troughton for one with a top edge to the wicketkeeper.

Somerset shot out of the traps with two sixes by Marcus Trescothick (29) off Lee Daggett in a stand of 47 in five overs with Justin Langer (17). But a succession of rash shots then resulted in four bowlers taking a wicket in their first over.

Loudon held a catch from Trescothick at the second attempt at short extra cover and South African spinner Paul Harris began his stint as an overseas player by trapping James Hildreth.

South African-born Craig Kieswetter counter-attacked with 48 from 35 balls on his competition debut, but the match swung Warwickshire's way with two wickets in successive balls.

Ian Westwood ran out Kieswetter after he had hit two fours and three sixes, and Maddy took a well-judged catch at extra cover from Wes Durston (17).

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