Jonathan Trott is being considered for a dramatic return to the England Test squad when they face West Indies in the Caribbean next month.
The 33-year-old, who was forced to quit the last Ashes tour because of a mental health issue later diagnosed as situational anxiety, is being lined up to be Alastair Cook’s opening partner for the three-Test tour against West Indies in April.
It would be quite a comeback for Trott, whose England career looked over when he left Australia after the first Test in Brisbane at the end of 2013 after enduring a torrid time at the hands of Mitchell Johnson.
The Warwickshire batsman’s comeback took a decisive turn for the better when he captained the Lions on their tour of South Africa earlier this year and the England management are convinced one of the most consistent batsmen in the country is ready to resume at the highest level.
James Whitaker, the national selector, arrived in Adelaide this week for discussions on a party that will begin a run of 17 Tests in less than a year under a captain in Cook who is desperate to have his strongest side in the West Indies.
England’s dismal World Cup showing so far has taken a back seat while Whitaker has been in talks with coach Peter Moores over a Test squad that will take on what is sure to be a depleted West Indies because of he Indian Premier League.
In addition to Trott, the Yorkshire pair of Adil Rashid and Jonathan Bairstow are being considered for inclusion in a squad that won their last three matches against India and are in a far healthier position than the 50-over team.
The big question is whether England, chastened by their dreadful showing in this World Cup, rest any of their senior players from the Test squad in an attempt to prioritise the limited-overs game. Jimmy Anderson, who is due to play his 100th Test in the first match in Antigua, is just four wickets away from overtaking Sir Ian Botham and becoming England’s leading wicket-taker.
And Anderson’s new-ball partner Stuart Broad is equally keen to carry on prioritising Test cricket, with the Ashes looming as well as Test tours next winter against Pakistan and South Africa.
Middlesex batsman Sam Robson is also likely to retain his place for the Caribbean tour.– Daily Mail