London: Jonathan Trott followed Graeme Swann, Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior into the international wilderness on Monday to leave England desperately short of experience ahead of this year’s Ashes series against Australia.
Trott was forced to admit that he is no longer capable of coping with the demands of Test cricket following a dismal return to the side in the drawn series in West Indies.
That leaves only Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, James Anderson and Stuart Broad as England players with experience of Ashes success and, with the Australians heading over brimful of confidence, home hopes of reclaiming the precious urn look forlorn.
Cook’s team are in disarray following their erratic performances in the Caribbean.
Although the captain made his first international century for nearly two years in the final test in Barbados, the batting looks highly vulnerable.
Trott’s retirement leaves a gap at the top of the order and Yorkshire’s Adam Lyth looks to be the next candidate to open with Cook.
“This 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,” said Trott in an England and Wales Cricket Board statement. “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 take this opportunity 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 also want to wish the lads all the very best for what will be an incredibly exciting summer.”
The 34-year-old Trott, who intends to continue his County career with Warwickshire, added: “I’ve had incredible highs and some real lows in an England shirt but wouldn’t change a thing.
“I look forward to continuing my career at Warwickshire and hopefully helping us win more silverware.”
The West Indies series saw Trott recalled by England for the first time since his premature exit from the 2013/14 Ashes series in Australia following the first Test in Brisbane with what team officials later said was “situational anxiety”. Trott struggled on his return to the Test arena, managing just 72 runs in six innings including three ducks.
England captain Alastair Cook, paying tribute to Trott, said: “It has been an absolute honour to play alongside Trotty in every one of his 52 Tests.
“He can be incredibly proud of all he has achieved in his career and it is no coincidence that his time in international cricket has seen the team achieve some very special things often with Trotty at the heart of our success on and off the field.”
Cook added: “To come back from events around the Brisbane Test in 2013 and earn a place back in this side is testament to his character and spirit, and although things didn’t work out as we all hoped on this current tour, he gave absolutely everything to the Three Lions every time he wore the cap.”
Following Trott’s exit from the Australia tour, where he struggled against the short ball and the pace of left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson in particular, England lost the Ashes 5-0.
Australia batsman David Warner accused Trott of being “poor and weak” for the way in which he was dismissed by Johnson in the second innings at Brisbane’s Gabba ground, comments for which he apologised when details of the England batsman’s condition were made public.
Trott took some time out from cricket before forcing his way back into the England set-up through sheer weight of runs for Warwickshire and the second-string England Lions.
