‘Executioner’ Mitchell Johnson forced Jonathon Trott to leave 2013-14 Ashes tour | Cricket - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

‘Executioner’ Mitchell Johnson forced Jonathon Trott to leave 2013-14 Ashes tour

ByANI, Melbourne
Sep 24, 2016 04:29 PM IST

Former England batsman Jonathon Trott has revealed that it was the incredible fast bowling barrage he received from his “executioner” Mitchell Johnson, which forced him to leave the 2013-14 Ashes Tour mid-way.

Former England batsman Jonathon Trott has revealed that it was the incredible fast bowling barrage he received from his “executioner” Mitchell Johnson, which forced him to leave the 2013-14 Ashes Tour mid-way.

A file photo of former English batsman Jonathon Trott.(Reuters Photo)
A file photo of former English batsman Jonathon Trott.(Reuters Photo)

In his controversial autobiography ‘Unguarded’, which is being serialised by The Times newspaper, the right-handed former batsman has described Johnson as “my executioner” and Australia’s cricket team as “like hyenas round a dying zebra”.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Earlier, it was believed that Trott had to leave the 2013-14 Ashes Tour due to a stress-related illness but an extract from the autobiography reveals the real reason as how the England batsman was left “helpless, blindfolded and handcuffed”, reports news.com.au.

The 35-year-old was dismissed twice by Johnson in the first Test at the Gabba, before announcing his shock decision to quit the tour.

The left arm-pacer had left the English batsmen at sea and took 37 wickets in the five-match series.

In the extract, Trott talks in detail about the negative mental state which prompted his departure.

“I felt I was being led out to face the firing squad by the time we reached Brisbane,” Trott wrote. “Mitchell Johnson was to be my executioner,” he added.

Trott walked out to bat at the Gabba with his team in a relatively good position on Day One of the first Test but it was “a mess” for him.

After negotiating a tough first over from Ryan Harris, it was time for Trott to face up to Johnson.

“They (Australia) know they have something special in Johnson. And they know I’m struggling. They’re circled like hyenas round a dying zebra,” he writes.

The 52-Test veteran, however, said that he bears no ill whatsoever towards Johnson, despite the Aussie left-arm pacer effectively hastening the end of his international career. However, it should be noted that Trott made a brief comeback to Test cricket in 2015 before retiring.

“One day, I’d like to shake him by the hand and say, ‘Well bowled.’ I don’t bear him an ounce of resentment. Test cricket is meant to be hard and he was admirably ruthless,” Trott wrote.

During his service for the England cricket team in the white jersey, Trott scored a total of 3, 835 runs at an average of 44.08, which included nine hundreds and 19 half centuries.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away!- Login Now!
Catch all the Latest Cricket News, Live Cricket Score and IPL 2024 Schedule, match updates along with Cricket Schedule, WPL 2024 and other related updates on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On