Jonathan Trott to tour South Africa with England Lions

Jonathan Trott in action for Warwickshire

33-year-old Warwickshire batsman Jonathan Trott is back on track to play international cricket again as he was included in the England Lions squad that tours South Africa. The cricketer left the team mid-way through the Ashes 2013/14 owing to a stress-related illness.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after his call-up, Trott said that he has now found a way out of his mental issues that was bothering him and confirmed that he do wishes to represent his country again.

"I seem to have found myself in a situation where I'm enjoying cricket again. I still have aspirations to play for England. If I do hopefully play for England again, I've got to earn my place back,” Trott said.

Calling Warwickshire as a great place to play cricket, the veteran is not setting any targets and wants to live in the present.

"I've had that mentality playing for Warwickshire this year and thoroughly enjoyed my season with them, mainly for the second half of the season admittedly. Playing in successful teams like we had at the Bears this year always helps. It's great place to be.

"I'm not looking too far ahead. Setting goals to make teams is very dangerous. A lot of the time it's not really in your control. So at the moment I'm just looking forward to going to Pochefstroom and doing a bit of batting practice before Christmas, then heading back out with the team and feeling like a guy who's just been picked again," he added.

The Lions are scheduled to play 2 first-class matches and 5 one-day fixtues against South Africa A. Trott’s committments are limited to the longer format.

Speaking on Trott’s inclusion, national selector James Whitaker said, "Jonathan Trott's exceptional form and run scoring exploits for Warwickshire at the end of the summer has resulted in his selection for the first-class fixtures at the beginning of the tour. Congratulations to him and to all of the players selected."

England Lions first-class squad: Jonny Bairstow, Gary Ballance (both Yorkshire), Sam Billings (Kent), Jack Brooks, Alex Lees, Adam Lyth (all Yorkshire), Craig Overton (Somerset), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), Boyd Rankin (Warwickshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Adam Riley (Kent), Sam Robson (Middlesex), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire), James Vince (Hampshire)

England Lions one-day squad: Jonny Bairstow, Gary Ballance, Sam Billings, Jack Brooks, Alex Lees, Adam Lyth, Craig Overton, Stephen Parry (Lancashire), Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire), Liam Plunkett, Boyd Rankin, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy (Surrey), James Vince.