When Jonathan Trott fended a well directed bouncer Shannon Gabriel bouncer to square leg, just a couple of minutes into his first innings at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, his number was up.
An attempt to rediscover, from a team perspective, a batsman who had conducted the majority of his career in the upper reaches of the world rankings, all conducted with the best of intentions, hit the proverbial brick wall with that dismissal.
Another single-figure score in the second innings merely provided the answer to a question that the man himself announced a couple of days later.
Everybody’s time has to come to an end at some stage and there was no disgrace in trying to extend a career; Trott is a professional cricketer after all.
The required boxes had been ticked. Plenty of runs at domestic level, more, importantly, on tour with the England Lions and the conquering of the problems that had led to a premature departure from the Ashes tour 18 months ago.
There is a school of thought along the lines of Trott’s recall being an error of judgement, of the adage ‘you should never go back’ being ignored and the want for the good times to return overriding the sound process of the selectors.
With hindsight now ready to play its part all of the above could be said to be true but the England hierarchy can hardly be faulted for wanting to see the Trott of old back in the line-up.
A steady presence at the top of the order, a determined, unflappable shield to the more expansive and expressive below him, Trott was a pivotal part of the success England enjoyed in the not too distant past and it wouldn’t have taken too big a leap of faith in the expectation of the same qualities to resurface.
And for a brief time in the first innings in Grenada, the Trott of old could be witnessed: the shuffling clip through the leg side, the guide behind point, the intense defensive method, the concentration.
But that was a mere vignette and no foundation on which a second coming was to be constructed.
Walking off with nought to his name in the third Test, Trott must have known he was spent.
The passing of time, and there are very few exceptions, dulls the components that make up the constitution of any batsman, at any level.
It could be the desire to churn out scores that once came as second nature, or the marginal slowing of the reflexes, or even the mistiming of deliveries that were once either defended or put away with relative ease.
Watching both Trott and, similarly, Shivnarine Chanderpaul these past few weeks has been to see a futile raging against the dying of the light. There has been little verve in their play and it has all appeared something of a struggle.
Not a battle through to easier times – a normal Test innings for all bit the very gifted – but a constant scrap with self that isn’t providing a resolution.
That is why Trott’s decision to call time on his international days is the right move.
The cynical, and a glance at Twitter would indicate the presence of plenty of those, point to his jump coming before a push, or blame being pointed at selectors, coach and even captain for recalling Trott.
But for all the cock-ups of the English cricketing establishment over the past year or so, this has been a punt which simply didn’t work out, not a sign something is rotten.
And others who have, inevitably given the snap judgements that seem to be de rigeur these days, stated that he didn’t fancy facing the Australians again need their opinion to be given short shrift.
Trott was a fine player for England, a number three who, when at his peak, was exceptional and it has been to Gary Ballance’s credit that his shoes have been more than adequately filled.
Alastair Cook received the batting plaudits for his substantial haul during England’s 2010-11 triumph in Australia but Trott’s contribution, and his century at the MCG especially, wasn’t far below.
A successful stint in the Caribbean would’ve most likely seen him looking for Ashes winners’ medal number three come early July in Cardiff but not every career ends with the bat raised and a warm glow of satisfaction.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Ehhh, they always have to blood someone at some time. It's international cricket, playing at home is probably easier for any newbie no matter who he faces.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
I don't see how he COULD have fancied facing the Aussies again, let's get real, there is nothing wrong with saying that. That's not to bring the bloke down, he's made the right decision, for his own enjoyment of his life as much as anything. And I think this was the right series to try him out, shame it didn't work out for him but at least the ECB gave him another go, good on them.
Frederick
Guest
3 Ashes series victories to only 1 defeat says it all about the man's class. His knock on debut at The Oval in 2009 was absolutely key in helping England win the 2009 series, and he was superb again in 2010/11.
JimmyB
Guest
Good article Alec, sums up my feelings on the situation pretty much. The selectors have rightly been criticised for some of their selections in the Windies, however I'll give them a pass on Trotty. His record at Test level and last season for Warwickshire and particularly on the A tour warranted giving him a crack at opening, unfortunately it wasn't to be, but hindsight is always 20/20. I've got huge admiration for Trott as a man and as a player and thank him for all he did for English cricket and I sincerely hope that he enjoys the rest of his career at Warwickshire, much like Tresco seems to be at Somerset. Good luck for the future Trotty.
ChrisB
Guest
While not a bad idea in theory, the problem was always that if it didn't work out they've got to blood someone, or reestablish someone else, against the 3 best attacks in international cricket. NZ will be super keen to show they're no adjunct to the Ashes, a lot of the Aussies will be gunning for a win on English soil at their last chance, and Saffirs will be wanting post-World Cup redemption. Good luck England, and well done Trott on a fine career
English twizz
Guest
Sam Robeson scored 178 against Durham the other day Also Alex hales is batting like he could be worth a look with 3 centuries all ready this season and one of them was a double 200 against a very good Yorkshire side
The Bush
Roar Guru
It is sad to see someone end their career like this. Can't help but feel that for a guy returning from "stress" issues, perhaps a home series was the best way to get him back into the grove, rather than a trip to the Caribbean...
Tatah
Guest
He was a quality player in his day and he'll retire with terrific figures. All the nonsense will be forgotten quickly. Now to his replacements. What happened to me old mate Jungles' kid Sam Robson? Is he out of the frame now?
matth
Guest
Well done on a fine career Jonathan Trott. I would think that England's thinking here was to find their own Chris Rogers, the hardened professional for a short term gig to shore up their batting for NZ, AUS, SA in the coming months. Unfortunately for them it didn't come off, but I think it was a fair strategy if they were unsure about the other candidates. Compton, Carberry and Robson all seemed hard done by. I hope they give the next cab off the rank a better run at it.
jamesb
Guest
All the best to Trotty. Hope he enjoys playing cricket again. Not a bad career all the same.
Titch
Guest
I had Johnson down for 40 wickets in the upcoming Ashes but with Trott's retirement I'll make that 30.
Jimbo
Guest
Looking forward to Gary Ballance having plenty of soul searching to do once the Australians are finished with him.
mmacter
Guest
A sad end to a fine career.All the best to him
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
It's been a sad finish to Trott's career but that's sport for you. He's had some huge achievements during one of England's best-ever eras of Test cricket. Good luck to him.
Rich_UK
Guest
Great player for several years but definitely the right decision, his technique was broken in the recent series Ballance has filled in the role perfectly but the selectors choice to go with Trott as an opener instead of blooding a younger player has proven to be a bad one (yet again)
Sideline Comm.
Guest
Good on him for being honest with himself; never an easy thing to do. A very good player in his prime, England will be very happy if Ballance turns out to be as reliable.
jameswm
Guest
He's retired now? Geez it's been a saga. I can only imagine Trott himself wouldn't have wanted it to pan out that way, but it's a saga now.
Targa
Guest
I wish him well. He was a quality player at his peak and achieved much for England. Was also much-maligned in ODIs despite averaging 50 - just needed some dashers to bat around him. I hope that England gives his relacement (Lythe?) a decent crack. Opening the batting against NZ & Aus will be a tough ask, so they need to persevere even if the player fails. I don't know why they dropped Nick Compton a couple of years ago as he looked okay.
Bakkies
Guest
The way he was dismissed in the 1st innings was the icing. All at sea and one hand off the bat.
djos77
Roar Rookie
Test average 44 and an ODI average over 50. No shame at all in walking away now.