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Sport

Jonathan Trott: Ex-England batsman extends Kent stay & discusses coaching role so far

By: Cameron Hogwood

Published: 00:00, 23 May 2019

After amassing 18,654 runs in 280 first-class matches Jonathan Trott now finds himself honing his craft for the benefit of others.

The former England and Warwickshire star came full circle in April when he was recruited by the Kent side he had faced in his final game before retiring at the end of last season.

Having initially been introduced as a batting coach for the Royal London One-Day Cup following Allan Donald's shoulder injury, Trott has since extended his stay until the beginning of the Vitality Blast on July 20.

Jonathan Trott

“I’m taking it basically month by month at the moment, but I’m scheduled to do all the four-dayers up until the T20s,” Trott revealed.

“It’s been really good, they’re a good bunch of guys and it’s a nice place to coach.

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“I’ve certainly enjoyed the break. I’ve not really missed playing at all so I certainly know I made the right decision. This is what I want to be doing so I’m getting myself into it now.”

Trott’s arrival coincided with the start of what would prove a testing period in the 50-over format for the Spitfires, which entailed five defeats and just two victories.

Nonetheless, injuries along with a string of disappointing results failed to diminish the potential in Canterbury in the eyes of the 2011 ICC and ECB Cricketer of the Year.

He added: “The guys have done well so far, they’re very good players.

“Zak Crawley and Ollie Robinson have done nicely and been high scorers but there are other talented players as well that I look forward to working with and can hopefully help achieve whatever they set their minds upon.

“Every single game seemed to be injury-ridden and we never really had our full-strength batting line-up. Even the bowlers had injuries as well so it’s been pretty tough.

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“It would have been nice to get back to the final again or even the play-offs but it wasn’t to be. We played some good cricket towards the end when we started to get a settled line up.”

Well-accustomed to the value of preparation, the 38-year-old has been on hand to pass on both technical expertise as well as lessons in how to approach the game from behind-the-scenes.

He explained: “In cricket a lot of the game is played off the field and with the way you think about the game. It’s not just on the field stuff. Obviously results and performances are important, but how you prepare and get ready for the game is just as crucially important. There are always things you can pass on.

“As a coach you want to learn how to go about it as well. Being a youngish coach or one with not as much experience as others, it’s always good to learn from the likes of Matt Walker and Allan Donald who have obviously been coaching for a lot longer.”

Matt Walker

While relaying his own experiences to players aspiring to match his success, Trott has been profiting from the guidance of two familiar faces amid the early stages of a new chapter in his own career.

“He (Walker) has been outstanding and made me feel very welcome along with the rest of the club,” said Trott. “It’s been really good and I’ve enjoyed it immensely.

“He’s very good to work with. I played against him quite a bit and I’ve played under Allan Donald, who coached at Warwickshire a few times while I was there, so I know them really well and know what they’re about.”

Trott also talked up the ability England have at their disposal as strong favourites heading into the upcoming World Cup.

“They’re outstanding,” he said.
“They knocked off 359 in 45 overs (against Pakistan) and you basically expect them to do it, that’s how good the cricket they’re playing is. They’re in a perfect position with regards to form.

“They’ve had various options available to them for different conditions which hasn’t really been around in England ODI cricket. It’s the most talented bunch in as long as I can remember.”

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