Jonathan trots into sunset a happy man
JONATHAN TROTT said it was a “dream come true” to sign off his career with the Division Two title after Warwickshire crushed Kent at Edgbaston.
The former England batsman, who played 52 Tests, called time on 15 years and 281 first-class matches with the Birmingham side.
And while he could manage only eight runs in this match, in the Bears’ first innings, Ashley Giles’ side ensured it was a great send-off by posting an emphatic win by an innings and 34 runs.
“For it to work out like it has is a real dream come true and to finish it all like this on a day like this at the end of September is all really fitting and a great end to a career,” said Trott.
“My career has been real hard work but also a really enjoyable one. And I am just lucky to have been involved in some great times. But to win here and get Warwickshire back up to where they belong is a great day.”
Trott, who had walked through a guard of honour on his way to the wicket on Tuesday, received another post-match salute from both sets of players yesterday.
There were kind words from England’s new Test call-up Joe Denly on a day when both sides shared celebrations as champions and runners-up.
“We had been very up for it and wanted to end on a high but we were completely outplayed,” said the Kent batsman.
“We were always playing catch-up after the first day, being bowled so cheaply, and Warwickshire never let us back in. They batted very well and how fitting it is to see Jonathan Trott go out with a win.”
In Division One, champions Surrey responded to being bowled out by Essex for 67 on day one with second-innings centuries from Ollie Pope (114) and Jason Roy (128).
Pope hit a six and 19 fours in his 120-ball knock, but fell just 16 short of 1,000 Championship runs for the summer.
At Trent Bridge, Craig Overton took Somerset’s second hat-trick inside two days as the Cidermen rolled over Nottinghamshire by an innings and 46 runs. The England fast bowler followed Tom Abell’s first-innings effort on Tuesday, removing Ben Slater, Samit Patel and Riki Wessels – all three caught at slip by veteran Marcus Trescothick.