Trott admits defeat and quits England
JONATHAN TROTT has retired from international cricket, admitting he could no longer reach the level needed to play for England. Trott, forced to leave the Ashes tour of 2013-14 after just one Test, returned to the England team for the series in the West Indies only to struggle badly, making three ducks in his six innings.
It was conclusive proof that England’s gamble in taking Trott to the Caribbean in the unaccustomed role of Alastair Cook’s opening partner had failed, and he was certain to be replaced f or the two-Test series against New Zealand later this month.
Trott said: ‘This was a tough decision to make but I don’t feel my game is at the level you need to play for England. I was honoured to be given the chance to return to international cricket and I’m disappointed it didn’t work out.’
Neither Trott nor England should be criticised for that because he had earned the right to resume an international career that was rudely interrupted when he was forced to leave the last Ashes tour after the first Test at Brisbane ended in defeat.
Trott battled back from a mental condition that was belatedly diagnosed by psychologist Steve Peters as situational anxiety to score runs consistently for Warwickshire and the Lions, and was given a clean bill of health.
There has been no recurrence of his illness, just insurmountable problems with his technique against fast bowling plus an anxiousness to prove himself again that saw him become a frenetic presence at the crease.
Peter Moores, the England coach, yesterday defended the selection of Trott ahead of Yorkshire’s prolific Adam Lyth, who is now in pole position to open with Cook against New Zealand at Lord’s a fortnight on Thursday.
‘Jonathan Trott earned the right to be on this trip,’ insisted Moores. ‘He went back to Warwickshire and got runs and then went on the Lions tour and was the lead batter. Package that with how well he has done in the past and he had earned the right to have a go. We needed to know whether he could fulfil the role as an opener but he’s had a difficult trip.’
Moores, meanwhile, believes he is still the best man to coach England and wants to take on Australia to prove he is right.
He is back under pressure after England’s defeat in the final Test left them with only a share of the series against a West Indies team labelled ‘mediocre’ by new ECB chairman Colin Graves.
Former England captain Andrew Strauss i s expected t o be appointed the new director of cricket, possibly as early as Thursday, and Moores wants to work with him and stay at the helm of a side he believes are getting better.
‘ We l ook at ourselves and think we are moving in the right direction and we’re very frustrated we haven’t come away from here with a 2-0 win,’ said Moores. ‘I want to be involved with this group going forward because they are exciting. I think I can help them get better.’
Moores is thought to have had issues with Strauss during his first spell as coach but said: ‘I’ve always got on well with Andrew. He’s got a good cricket brain.’