Kentish Express Ashford & District
Trott’s mission to pass on the winning formula
After amassing 18,654 runs in 280 firstclass matches Jonathan Trott now finds himself honing his craft for the benefit of others.
The former England and Warwwickshire star came full circle in April wheen he was recruited by the Kent side he hadd faced in his final game before retiring ata the end of last season.
He has since been assisting Mattt Walker as a batting coach in the Royall London One-Day Cup on the back oof Allan Donald’s shoulder injury.
“It’s been really good, they’rre a good bunch of guys and it’s a nice place to coach,” said Trott.
“I’ve certainly enjoyed the breakk. I’ve not really missed playing at all so I certainly know I made the right decisionn. This is what I want to be doing so I’mm getting myself into it now.
“I’m taking it basically month byb month at the moment, but I’m scheduledd to do all the four-dayers up until the T200s.”
Trott’s arrival coincided with the start of what would prove a testing periodp in the 50-over format for the Spitfirees, which entailed five defeats and just two victories.
Nonetheless, injuries along witth 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 donne well so far, they’re very good players.
“Zak Crawley and Ollie Robinnson have done nicely and been high scoorers but there are other talented playerrs 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 beb injury-jy 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.
“It would have been nice to get back to the final again or even the playoffs but it wasn’t to be. We played some good cricket towards the end when we started to get a settled line up.”
Wellaccustomed to the value of preparation, the 38-year-old Trott has been on hand to pass on both technical expertise as well as lessons in how to approachpp the game g 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.”
While relaying his own experiences to players aspiring to match his success, Trott has been benefiting from the guidance of two familiar faces amid the early stages of a new chapter in his oown career.
“He (Walker) has bbeen outstanding and made me feel very welcome along with the rest of the club,” said Trott.
“It’s been really ggood and I’ve enjoyed it immensely.
“He’s very good too work with. I played against him quite a bit and I’ve played under Allan Donaald, who coached at Warwickshire a feww times while I was
‘I’ve not missed playing. This is what I want to be doing so I’m getting into it’
there, so I know thhem really well and know what they’re about.”
Trott also talked upu the ability England have at their disposaal as strong favourites heading into the uppcoming World Cup. “They’re outstaanding,” he said. “They knocked off 359 in 45 overs (against Pakistaan) and you basically expect them tot do it, that’s how good the crickket they’re playing is. They’re in a perfectp position with regards to foorm.
“They’vee had various options availablee to them for different condittions which hasn’t reallyy been around in Eng land ODI cricket. It’s the most talented bunnch in as long as I can remmember.”