Jonathan Trott was pleased with his opening performance for England on his return to South Africa after his half-century helped secure a massive 185-run victory in the opening tour match against the Diamond Eagles in Bloemfontein.

The 28-year-old, playing for the first time for England in his country of birth, made a busy 85 from 104 balls in front of a sparse crowd at the OUTsurance Oval.

But the Warwickshire batsman blew his chance to start the tour with a century when he played on Ryan Bailey and was bowled in the 38th over.

"It would have been nice to get a hundred but it was just good to get in the middle again, it's like learning to drive again, you pick up the bat and get back in the mode after a few weeks off," he said.

"I don't think it's a typical South African wicket, it is a bit on the slow and low side which is quite surprising but it was nice to get in and get in the mode of playing again.

"It was nice to spend some time out there but there are still a few things to work on with my game that I could have done better out there, but it was a good start."

Trott shared a 123-run partnership with captain Andrew Strauss (72), while a quick-fire unbeaten 67 from Eoin Morgan helped the visitors reach 294 for seven.

In response the home side failed to get going with Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Sajid Mahmood, Graeme Swann and Paul Collingwood taking two wickets apiece to help dismiss their opponents for 109 in 26.4 overs.

It was a good team effort from England, considering they still have Kevin Pietersen to return.

Trott insists that although their star batsman is yet to arrive, the competition for places was rife.

He continued: "Everyone is trying to get in this side and whichever team they select is the one that they think will do well and win.

"I just want to get in the team whatever position they feel I can contribute."

And the Cape Town-born batsman, who made his Test debut in the Ashes earlier this year, his his immediate focus on the one-day team, adding: "Everyone coming here has their goals and we are all working hard to contribute to the team, I want to perform and try to get myself in the one-day side then think about the Tests afterwards.

"I don't want to be thinking of the importance of Test matches at this stage, this is just as important for us."