Adelaide, Nov 25 (IANS) England batsman Jonathan Trott has pulled out of the Ashes tour citing a “long term stress-related illness” and is taking an indefinite break from cricket to grapple with the issue.
“I don’t feel it is right that I’m playing knowing that I’m not 100 per cent and I cannot currently operate at the level I have done in the past,” the 32-year-old said in a statement.
“My priority now is to take a break from cricket so that I can focus on my recovery. I want to wish my teammates all the very best for the remainder of the tour.”
The South African-born batsman was already on the plane home by the time managing director Hugh Morris and head coach Andy Flower were explaining the reasons for Trott’s abrupt withdrawal from the tour to the media Monday evening.
Trott had scored 19 runs in the two innings of the first Ashes Test, which England lost by 381 runs Sunday, and struggled against the bowling of pacer Mitchell Johnson.
Trott’s display in Brisbane was described as “poor and weak” by Australian opener David Warner, who also claimed that the No.3 batsman had “scared eyes”.
England captain Alastair Cook dubbed the comments as “disrespectful”, a view shared by coach Andy Flower.
“Jonathan has been struggling with this condition for quite a while,” Flower said.
“We have been on tour for about a month and he has had his ups and downs through that month and it is not directly related to that.
“I would also say players commenting to fellow professionals in the media is disrespectful and I think on this occasion he (Warner) has got that horribly wrong.”
“Jonathan Trott is an incredibly talented cricketer who has proven himself time and again for England. The cricket side of things is unimportant now. All that matters is that Jonathan is given the time, support and space he needs to recover,” England’s managing director Hugh Morris said.
“We fully support his decision to leave the tour and the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) will provide all the assistance we can to help Jonathan and his family through this period.”
Trott’s decision to leave the tour midway is similar to the situation that led to former England opener Marcus Trescothick quit England’s 2005-06 tour of India.
The left-hander dropped out of the India tour without revealing his illness and travelled to Australia for the 2006-07 Ashes. He left Australia just two weeks into the tour.
Trescothick’s illness cut short his international career but he kept playing county cricket for Somerset.
Trescothick tweeted Monday: “Sad news, hope trotty is ok.”
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