Question.

Can Jonathan Trott make a comeback to the English team?

Can Jonathan Trott make a comeback to the English team?

Trott, 32, left England’s Ashes tour after the first Test in Brisbane with what was described as a stress-related illness following a traumatic ordeal at the hands of Mitchell Johnson. It was the first major setback for England on a tour that was to descend into chaos and when it was revealed that Trott had long-standing mental health issues, it seemed his career at the highest level was over.
Alastair Cook had expressed his hope that Jonathan Trott will be able to return to international cricket despite the abrupt departure from the Ashes tour with a stress-related illness, but insisted on him taking his own time to recover. Cook was very positive for Trott to make a comeback and sees no reason why he should not be able to resume his position at No3. Cook also confirmed that the problems Trott had been experiencing in Australia were not isolated incidents. The captain said,"Throughout his career he has struggled at certain times and I think he’s shown a huge amount of character to perform as he has done for England.”
Dennis Amiss, chairman of Trott’s Warwickshire benefit committee, said the player will face Gloucestershire in a friendly and is "raring to go". "He’s still very hungry," said Amiss. "He wants to continue succeeding both for Warwickshire and for England."
Warwickshire are on their pre-season tour in Barbados and Trott has been granted time for a family holiday. But he will join up with the squad on their return and has been due to play against Gloucestershire at Edgbaston on 1 and 2 April, in the first-class match against Oxford University from 7 April and the Bears’ County Championship opener against Sussex from 13 April.
Former England batsman Amiss, who was Warwickshire chief executive when Trott joined the county from South Africa in 2002, has spent time with the player recently and is encouraged by his state of mind.
Trott, who has scored 3,763 runs in 49 Tests for England at an average of 46.45, and 2,819 runs in 68 ODIs averaging 51.25. One of his most crucial innings was on Test debut against Australia at the Oval in 2009 when his 119 proved essential in ensuring England regained the urn with a 2-1 series victory.
While it is undoubtedly good news that Trott is on the right path to recover and recuperate, England will have to be certain that the problem will not relapse if he again faces the stresses of top level cricket.
They were aware of Trott’s earlier problems - and left him out of a one-day international against Australia at the Ageas Bowl last summer because of his condition - and handled his departure from Australia with great sensitivity.
Yet if he makes an immediate return to the international fold it may look as though it is permissible to quit a difficult, high-profile tour and return as soon as the going gets better, in this case when England face Scotland and then Sri Lanka early this summer before their Test series against India. Amiss, who is undoubtedly speaking for Trott now, has no doubts. “I think the problem was essentially burn-out,” he said. “The ECB have helped him since he has been back home. Everyone has given him a lot of help. Rest is the most important thing.”
All English fans really want to see Trott back in action as soon as possible but the key question is “Will he be able to handle the pressure at international level?” The question remains unanswered and this would certainly be a point to ponder for the selection committee. With English batting in tatters as it is I feel Trott would add in the much needed support and will be pivotal in the turnaround.

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