Jonathan Trott admits he must "find more boundary options" but insists he cares little for his individual one-day international statistics as long as he is helping England to win matches.

The lynchpin number three divides opinion with his approach to batting in 50-over cricket, even though he averages more than 50 in both the ODI and Test formats.

The prolific Trott was at it again in England's 2-1 NatWest Series defeat against New Zealand, top-scoring in both matches lost and making an unbeaten century at the Ageas Bowl.

Yet with England about to start their Champions Trophy campaign against Australia at Edgbaston on Saturday, there are still many who question his overall worth to the cause, citing an ODI career strike rate only in the mid-70s.

Trott himself is at ease with his contributions, however, because he knows he is fulfilling the brief asked of him — to anchor the innings, and build up momentum with the more expansive strokemakers around him.

“Look, it’s not about personal statistics. It’s about winning. It’s all about the team winning.”

He believes that when he is successful, England usually are too. “The thing that matters to me is that the team tend to win when I do well,” he said.

"I feel confident in my ability to contribute for the team and I feel backed by the management. Alastair Cook and the coaches are clear about what my role is."

So is Trott himself, describing it as: “To bat through and score as close as I can to a run a ball. There are times when it may seem I’m a bit behind the rate — but if I bat through, I won’t be far away from that.”

Trott excelled himself against the Kiwis with a series strike rate approaching 90, and his hundred in Southampton came up almost two overs quicker than the one opposition opener Martin Guptill went on to turn into a national-record 189 not out.

He added nonetheless: “We all have to improve constantly, and I have to find more boundary options.”