Trott wraps up England career
South African-born batsman retires from internationals
SOUTH African-born Jonathan Trott retired from international cricket yesterday, admitting that his batting was no longer up to the standard required to play for England. It was fitting, given his past-success for England, that he was allowed to go out on his own terms rather than be dropped for the series against New Zealand after struggling in his international comeback against the West Indies.
Trott, 34, scored only 72 runs in six innings in the Caribbean after returning to the England side as an opener, following a break for a stress-related illness.
In the third test on Saturday, he fell to a short ball from Shannon Gabriel.
It again raised questions about a technique that was so ruthlessly exposed by Australia in Brisbane in November 2013 that it forced Trott home from an Ashes tour, suffering from what was later diagnosed as situational anxiety.
Trott worked closely with the renowned sports psychologist Dr Steve Peters to overcome his mental health issue and fought his way back into the England side with consistent scores in county cricket for Warwickshire and for the Lions earlier in the season.
But the step-up to international cricket exposes any weaknesses and it was only when he faced genuine test-standard pace bowling that his recovery could be fully assessed.
After three matches, Trott reluctantly accepted his international career was over.
He will continue to play for Warwickshire – and a player of his ability is likely to dominate county cricket, if he can move on from the disappointment of having to accept he could no longer play at the top level.
“It was a tough decision to make, but I don’t feel my game is at the level you need to be at to play for England,” Trott said.
“I was honoured to be given the opportunity to come back and play international cricket again . . . and I’m disappointed it didn’t work out.
“I want to thank everyone who has helped me and given me the chance to represent England and to thank supporters for all their backing over the years.
“I want to wish the lads the best for what will be an incredibly exciting summer.
“I’ve had incredible highs and some real lows in an England shirt, but would not change a thing.
“I look forward to continuing my career at Warwickshire and hopefully helping us win more silverware,” he said.
Trott was a popular figure with England fans. They cheered as he got off the mark in Barbados in the second innings and willed him to score the runs needed to save his career. But it was not to be, as he fell leg-before-wicket to Jerome Taylor for nine in his final test innings.
Alastair Cook was as desperate as the England supporters for his old friend to succeed and provide the stability at the top of the order that characterised the first phase of his international career, when he played a major part in the team reaching the top of the test rankings.
But Trott never looked comfortable opening the batting, a role he had only performed once before for England.
After the second test win in Grenada, where Trott scored 59 in the first innings, coach Peter Moores described his batting as beautiful and backed him to come good in Barbados.
But that loyalty means England are again searching for yet another partner for Cook, with very little time before the first test against New Zealand starts at Lord’s on May 21.
Adam Lyth has spent a month as a substitute fielder in the West Indies and has only one championship match for Yorkshire to find form and secure his place for the series against New Zealand.
Alex Hales has started the summer strongly for Nottinghamshire with scores of 141, 94 and 236 but not that long ago England did not feel his technique was good enough for 50-over cricket, let alone test level.
Sam Robson, dropped as Cook’s partner after seven tests last season, made 178 for Middlesex against Durham at the weekend.
Alex Lees has scored a century and two fifties for Yorkshire. He is young and highly rated, although England feel he needs more time to develop in county cricket.
That is where Trott will play out the remainder of his paying days and have time to reflect on an international career that included him playing a major part in three Ashes wins.
He started memorably with a century on debut against Australia in 2009 at the Kia Oval and helped England to a memorable series win down under.
But Trott suffered his first crisis of confidence on tour when South Africa’s pace attack caused him problems that winter, an ominous sign for what was to come.
But he recovered. The highlight of his career was his 168 against Australia at the MCG in 2010. – The Daily Telegraph
‘ I’ve had incredible highs and some real lows in an England shirt but would not change a thing