Vaughan backlash begins over criticism of Trott’s Australia exit
FORMER England captain Michael Vaughan came under fire from the Professional Cricketers’ Association yesterday following his criticism of batsman Jonathan Trott’s reasons for leaving the winter Ashes tour.
Trott departed Australia in November after the first of five Test defeats and has not picked up a bat competitively since, with the England and Wales Cricket Board disclosing he was suffering with a “stress-related illness”.
The South African-born batsman clarified at the weekend that he was not suffering from depression, but “burn out” and needed time away from the crease after a packed international schedule in 2013.
Vaughan said he felt “conned” by the latest revelations and that Trott “did a runner” with his struggles due to cricketing reasons rather than mental health issues.
Trott said he had become mentally and physically exhausted trying desperately to regain his best form and, in a conversation with England’s team doctor in Brisbane, he was told had he been employed in a “normal” job a GP would sign him off of work for three weeks.
And PCA chief executive Andy Porter feels Vaughan has shown a distinct lack of understanding on the subject.
“I’m not an expert and neither is Michael,” said Porter.
“Each individual case is different and it is wrong to simply try to put cases in convenient boxes.
“From what I was told, Jonathan’s decision to return home was the correct one and it is wrong of people to condemn him for that decision.”
Meanwhile, England’s Twenty20 captain Stuart Broad has declared himself fit to take part in the World T20 competition in Bangladesh, though will sit out their first warm-up match against West Indies today with a knee injury. Broad missed two T20 internationals against the same opponents last week and had a painkilling injection before the flight home.
Though he will miss today’s match in Fatullah, Broad expects to be back against India tomorrow ahead of Saturday’s opening Group One match against New Zealand.
“It is unlikely I will play against West Indies because I have not actually run since I had the injection, but I would say I will definitely play against India the next day,” he said.
“If it was a Test tour it might be more concerning, but with only four over per game I am pretty confident I will be able to play a full part in this World Cup.”