Jonathan Trott will take no further part in the Ashes due to a stress-related illness, but England coach Andy Flower says David Warner should not be blamed for his exit.
Trott departed Brisbane on Sunday after his side’s 381-run loss to Australia in the series opener, with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announcing on Monday his return to cricket “will be determined in due course”.
The 32-year-old was twice dismissed cheaply and easily by Mitchell Johnson in the opening Test of the series, prompting Australia opener Warner to label his get-out shot on day three as “pretty poor and pretty weak”.
Flower agreed with England captain Alastair Cook that Warner’s comments were “disrespectful”, adding that the uncivil opener had got it “horribly wrong”.
“I think we set different standards to that and one of the reasons we don’t like commenting about opposition players is because we don’t know what is going on their dressing room,” Flower said.
“We don’t know what is going on in their private lives.”
But Flower made it clear Warner’s words did not have a direct influence on Trott’s exit, revealing the out-of-form batsman had been struggling with the illness for some time.
“That would be inaccurate,” Flower responded on Monday when asked if there was a potential link between the two.
“Jonathan has been struggling with this condition for quite a while and has managed it very successfully but we’ve been on tour for about a month.
“He’s had his ups and downs through that month and it is not directly related to that.”
Hugh Morris, managing director of England Cricket, said Trott needed time, support and space to recover.
“The cricket side of things is unimportant now,” Morris said.
“We fully support his decision to leave the tour and the ECB will provide all the assistance we can to help Jonathan and his family through this period.
“Jonathan has asked for privacy while he recovers and I would urge everyone to respect that.”
Trott said in an ECB statement it wouldn’t be right to stay in Australia, given batting is the last thing on his mind.
“I cannot currently operate at the level I have done in the past,” said Trott, who made his Test debut against Australia in 2009 at The Oval and averages 46.45.
“I want to wish my teammates all the very best for the remainder of the tour.
“My priority now is to take a break from cricket so that I can focus on my recovery.”
Former England opener Marcus Trescothick, who departed the 2006-07 Ashes tour after two weeks in Australia due to stress problems, was one of many to express sympathy for Trott.
“Sad news, hope trotty is ok,” Trescothick posted on his Twitter account.
Australian Cricketers’ Association boss Paul Marsh tweeted he was feeling for Trott.
“Awful condition to deal with. Hope he has and gets lots of support around him,” Marsh posted.
Colin N
Guest
Yep, you've got this one wrong RK. Trescothick went home for the same 'reason' but his troubles were well documented. The same with Yardy.
ANTI BARMY ARMY(oldtimer)
Guest
Nah!!!!!! the English are just a a bunch of sissys first it was their diet, they are being treated like women these guys should jus man up and accept the challenge.Thank you Clarke,I say continue being aggressive these guys are just too "weak" and trott is "pretty weak".he should have never have entered this test match if he knew he wasn't ready......Their orthodox church of England type of cricket is catching up with them.Cook should be worrying about his approach at Adelaide not about warner's comments they still wont change what we saw at the Gabba trott's cheap dismissals..............I have nothing against the Poms I feel they should jus regroup themselves and fight fire with fire they are paying too much attention to the media and opposition's statements..............come on Cook give us a game........
rajendra prasad
Roar Rookie
Hopefully his career wont end.Otherwise someone better will replace him,maybe panesar
rajendra prasad
Roar Rookie
The blame is on mitch.Trotty is a poor excuse for a batsman.
cantab
Guest
haha, yeah about ~10 years ago, it's a reasonably entertaining read as he is a complete prick.
Simon
Roar Guru
Mike Caxton, you have the brain capacity of an infant. Kev, is it the terminology that is confusing or is it merely your lack of understanding of mental health issues? Call it depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, stress-related fatigue, call it what you will, they all stem from the same tree. Perpetuating your supposed masculinity is getting in the way of rational, thoughtful discussion. You're better than that.
Outlier
Guest
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/theashes/10473828/The-Ashes-2013-14-Was-England-batsman-Jonathan-Trott-simply-forced-to-flee-the-scene-of-his-failures-in-Australia.html
jameswm
Roar Guru
How can this be Warner's fault? He is brash and calls a spade a spade. we need more characters in the game, then criticise them when we get them. Yeah he's not exactly my cup of tea, but let him be who he is.
MervUK
Guest
It's code for anxiety and depression, in trotts case anxiety, trescothick came home in 2006 with a stress related illness...which we now know from the tres himself was long term depression he'd suffered and managed since before his teens
Sage
Guest
Calm down girls. None of us know the real situation so lets not get too precious in our reading of what's happened and Trotts actual condition. I wish him well in his recovery from whatever specific condition he is suffering. He was found out though. That's test cricket. Mikes entitled to his opinion on an opinion site without quite so much righteous indignation.
SammyH
Guest
Mike, get an education on this will you?
Red Kev
Guest
Anyone that believes stress is a mental illness makes doorknobs look intelligent.
MJ
Guest
That sentiment is as intelligent as a bag full of doorknobs.
Red Kev
Guest
No. Personal reasons is fine. Stress related illness is a lame joke.
Bobby
Guest
So you want the England management to come out and say Trott has a "mental illness" before you will believe. You need to understand what they are saying.
Bobby
Guest
You don't seem to be bright!!
MervUK
Guest
There have been rumours around trott for a long time at Warwickshire, he is such an intense individual, think about his routine and superstitions. If Andy flower says it has been an issue from day one then it has, flower does not talk bs...you don't make the kind of statements and stands he did against Mugabe and put your life on the line without being completely honest. Iain obrien was on radio 4 in the uk, talking about his own issues and said that he thought something was wrong with trott, he looked frantic at the crease, obrien described it as "ticking" when he gets like that, basically it's an anxiety disorder it seems, maybe panic attacks. Anyway got me thinking and I realised trott has been like that once before and it was the 2009 test in joburg. I remember listening to it on the radio as boycott said he thought trott must be drunk, he came out and played a shot a ball frantically before getting out. I think we can probably assume he was suffering with the same issues then, but has managed to keep them under wraps for the most part
Red Kev
Guest
Trott doesn't have a "mental illness" nor has he gone home for "mental health reasons" or "personal reasons" (which is code for 'there is something going on in my life I need to deal with please respect my privacy while I do so'). He has cited a "stress related illness". Stress is a conjured excuse, not a real concern, humans are built to withstand "stress". Don't confuse diagnosed mental illnesses with the therapy word stress.
James S
Guest
Reading this article and the comments following highlight two things for me. Firstly, while I can't help but think Warner is a bit of a tool, he wasn't to know what was going on in Trott's head, and made his comments based on what he saw on the pitch. While it now looks bad given what we know about Trott's condition, I think this is one time we need to give him the benefit of the doubt. Secondly, and more importantly, some of the Roarers posting that Trott is somehow weak or soft for going home need to wake up to themselves. I've been very close to a couple of people with mental illness and know that one of the biggest issues confronting people is acknowledging that they have a problem and seeking the appropriate help. Heaping scorn on Trott for doing this is only going to discourage other men from doing the same (not to exclude women from this, but men historically have been more likely to ignore the signs and seek help). The Keith Miller stuff is all well and good, but I think we know enough about mental illness now that it doesn't take a Mescherschmitt 'up your ass' to cause anxiety, depression or a host of other issues. All the best to Trott, I hope you're back on deck soon after getting whatever help you need -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Red Kev
Guest
Trott hasn't got a mental illness, he hasn't gone home for personal reasons, he has "a stress related illness".I've been "stressed" plenty of times, I had a cup of concrete and got on with my life.