Jonathan Trott dismisses Mitchell Johnson's role in early Ashes exit

Jonathan Trott

England batsman Jonathan Trott has denied claims that his struggles against Mitchell Johnson had anything to do with his exit mid-way through the Ashes series last season. The No.3 batsman left the squad after the first Test at the Gabba after being dismissed by the left-arm seamer cheaply in both the innings.

On Mitchell Johnson

"A lot of people said it was Mitchell Johnson but it really wasn't. It was what was going on with me; self-inflicted really,” Trott was quoted as saying to the Daily Mail.

Trott was said to be struggling with a “stress-related illness” according to England officials when he left the team after the 381-loss against the home side. However, the cricketer later claimed that he was “burnt out” that led to former England captain Michael Vaughan to question whether his insecurities against Johnson led to his decision to skip the tour.

"Give him (Johnson) credit. He bowled really well in the one-day series and Tests. I've actually had a few centuries against Johnson, so I wouldn't say it's a technique issue. But without digging deeper and finding out what's going on, that's what people focus on," added Trott on the same, rubbishing the claim.

The Warwickshire-lad averages 46.75 in 49 Tests with 3,763 runs including nine tons.

Recalling his mindset

After that he made an unsuccessful return to cricket only to find out that he is still not out of his situation even after five months, he revealed in the interview. Trott was playing in a charity match against a local school.

“The moment the first ball came in I was back in Brisbane. I got about 19, but it felt the same; whether it was against schoolboys or Australia. It all felt the same.

“I was then fielding at mid-off. I hadn’t fielded, or even practised, for five months. And this guy whacks one into the air and I’m running backwards. There are no clouds. It’s just an object in a blue sky. I turn to dive. I must have landed on an anthill or something because there is sand everywhere. And the ball hits my hands and, as I’m lying there, I watch the ball trickle over the boundary.

“As I’m lying there I’m thinking these schoolboys must think I’m useless. They must be thinking the England team is rubbish if this guy can get in it. I was still thinking about the fact I’d only got 19 runs. I knew then that I was in trouble,” recalls Trott.

Last throw of the dice

"There were a few people who had a go at me and I suppose it gives a true reflection of their personality. I guess there will always be people who don't like you. But it was quite hard to take, from someone who had played in the England team. That's the measure of the person you are dealing with I suppose," Trott said about Vaughan’s remarks on him.

"I wasn't sure if I wanted to play cricket any more. It became a relief to be away from it," he informed on his thought processes.

He then went through remedial measures to the above mentioned issue with renowned sports psychiatrist Dr. Steve Peters, whom he was thankful to for getting him playing again.

The 33-year-old also gave due credit to his wife Abi for giving him strength during difficult times.

"I'd found someone who understood me," Trott said. "Someone I could speak to. I called Abi (Trott's wife) and I just said 'I'll be fine now'."

The cricketer added that he will be more than ready to play for his country when presented with an opportunity: "I'm just enjoying playing for Warwickshire right now and if I get the chance to play for England again, great.”

The batsman who recently scored 164 against Northants in a county fixture, was concerned with the ways of proving his recovery from this non-physical issue.

"I guess people are a bit more wary than if it was an (physical) injury. There is less evidence to, I suppose, to prove I am better," he mentioned.