'Stressed' Trott takes break from cricket

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 23: Jonathan Trott of England walks off the field after being dismissed by Mitchell Johnson of Australia during day three of the First Ashes Test match between Australia and England at The Gabba on November 23, 2013 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 23: Jonathan Trott of England walks off the field after being dismissed by Mitchell Johnson of Australia during day three of the First Ashes Test match between Australia and England at The Gabba on November 23, 2013 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Published Nov 25, 2013

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Brisbane, Australia - England batsman Jonathan Trott has left the team's Ashes tour of Australia with a stress-related illness, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Monday.

"Trott will take a break from cricket for the foreseeable future and will take no further part in the tour," the ECB said in a statement.

England's number three batsman Trott was a disappointment in this year's first Ashes series, averaging under 30 during the team's 3-0 triumph at home.

The lean patch continued as Mitchell Johnson bounced him out in both innings of the Brisbane Ashes opener, which Australia won comprehensively by 381 runs.

"I don't feel it is right that I'm playing knowing that I'm not 100 percent and I cannot currently operate at the level I have done in the past," Trott said in a statement.

"My priority now is to take a break from cricket so that I can focus on my recovery. I want to wish my teammates all the very best for the remainder of the tour."

Trott, who scored 10 and nine at the Gabba, was in the eye of a media storm after Australia opener David Warner called the manner of his dismissals "weak", comments that were labelled "disrespectful" by England captain Alastair Cook.

"Jonathan Trott is an incredibly talented cricketer who has proven himself time and again for England," Hugh Morris, ECB managing director, said.

"The cricket side of things is unimportant now, all that matters is that Jonathan is given the time, support and space he needs to recover.

"We fully support his decision to leave the tour and the ECB will provide all the assistance we can to help Jonathan and his family through this period. Jonathan has asked for privacy while he recovers and I would urge everyone to respect that." - Reuters

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