South African-born Jonathan Trott retired from cricket today after a highly successful career for Warwickshire and England.
Educated at Rondebosch in Cape Town and Stellenbosch University, Trott became one of a long list of South African-born cricketers to have scored a century on Test debut batting for England against Australia. He went on to score nine Test centuries in 52 Tests.
He spent 17 years playing county cricket for Warwickshire, which had always been his dream growing up in Cape Town, hoping to follow in the footsteps of greats such as Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock and Bob Woolmer. Marrying a local girl helped to ensure the club became his second home and the place that such a tremendously talented cricketer would end off his playing career.
‘I’ve no second thoughts,’ he told Cricinfo after the match. ‘Making the decision to retire [recently] gave me a new lease of life and helped me get through the season. It encouraged me to enjoy the season for what it is and not fight or wrestle with cricket as I have down in the past. I just went out and let it happen. I’ve been looking forward to this day. It’s the right time for me and, more importantly, it’s the right time for the club.
‘I’ve been incredibly lucky. Warwickshire have given me so much. Not just a job, but a home. I’ve lived out my dream by playing for them and owe them a huge amount. I’m standing here now, having just helped the boys win promotion and having been congratulated by one of my heroes, Allan Donald, on my career. That’s really special for me. It feels like a fantastic way to go out.’
Anyone who saw him bat in schools cricket will never forget the incredible way he would strike a ball as a young man, and he did his talents proud throughout a highly successful career. No doubt in his next life as a coach (at whatever level) he will pass on his wealth of knowledge and his passion for the game to the next generation of young cricketers.
| Mat | Runs | HS | Ave | 100 | 50 | Ct | |
| Tests | 52 | 3835 | 226 | 44.08 | 9 | 19 | 29 |
| ODIs | 68 | 2819 | 137 | 51.25 | 4 | 22 | 14 |
| T20Is | 7 | 138 | 51 | 23.00 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| First-class | 281 | 18662 | 226 | 44.32 | 46 | 92 | 223 |
| List A | 274 | 10056 | 137 | 48.11 | 23 | 67 | 77 |
| T20 | 81 | 2147 | 86* | 35.78 | 0 | 13 | 18 |
Photo: Harry Trump/Getty Images
