Jonathan Trott Exclusive: “I would be very careful before betting against this English team” | Cricket News
TimesofIndia.com in Dubai: Jonathan Trott will take out his notebook to take notes on Thursday when his team Gulf Giants begin their campaign against MI Emirates at the Dubai International Stadium. But on the same day he will have one eye on his iPad to watch the drama unfold at the Gabba for the pink ball Test, where the Ben Stokes-led England side will look to level the Ashes.“I wouldn’t bet against England,” Trott told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.The first Ashes Test ended in two days, with Australia winning the match by eight wickets. Trott defends England’s ultra-aggressive approach to Tests and backs current side to bounce back at the Gabba.“I think you have to go with the way you think will give you the best chance of winning. That’s how Brendan (McCullum) and Stokes (Ben) view their chances in Australia. They’re going to back it because they’ve lost games before and ended up winning series as well,” he said.“Australia are a very good team. Obviously they are in control now, ahead of a pink-ball Test on Thursday. I would be very careful before betting against this England team,” he adds.England’s Joe Root has questioned whether the Ashes should include a pink ball Test. “I don’t think you need it in an Ashes series. Absolutely not,” says Root. Meanwhile, Travis Head dismissed Root’s comments: “Pink ball, white ball, red ball… who really cares?”
England have not won a Test in Australia since 2010-11, failing to triumph in 14 of their 16 matches, and they have never won a day-night Test in Brisbane in three attempts. (Image credit: ICC)
Trott also weighs in on the new debate around the pink ball test.“I think with Ashes cricket you don’t need to change too much,” says Trott.“I have never played in a pink ball Test. I have played in four-day pink ball matches at the end of my career and it was different. I think you just have to ask yourself if there is a balance between bat and ball. People talk about twilight and that sort of thing. This adds a bit of dimension to the game and a bit of intrigue.“But if they think it can add to the atmosphere and the show, then why not,” adds Trott.Trott, who will end his tenure as Afghanistan head coach after the 2026 T20 World Cup in March, defends early finishes in Test matches and reminds critics that a few years ago they were bored of Test draws.“I think, like the world, cricket evolves; the world changes,” he says.“I think the Ashes are going to be a great series; it’s going to be interesting. England play a certain type of cricket and have been very entertaining. We saw a fantastic series in England between India and England. You saw contrasting styles: the way Shubman Gill was captain and the way he led the team and then the difference in the way Ben Stokes did it.“So I think we have to be careful not to try to pigeonhole Test cricket and ODI cricket. What we should do is embrace the way each team plays Test cricket or ODI cricket. That’s what makes cricket interesting – everyone has a different approach. They do what they think gives them the best chance of winning. England think that’s their best way to win. India decide to play on pitches that turn a lot – or a lot, as I was going to say it. This is their style of cricket. So you just have to accept it and accept it.“Remember, there was a time when we thought cricket was boring and there were too many draws. Now we say cricket is too short and there are too many wins and losses. We have to be careful not to always think the grass is greener,” says Trott.The 2010-11 Ashes winner also shared his thoughts on the pitches, notably at Perth and Eden Gardens, where the Tests were completed in two days and two-and-a-half days respectively.“I’ve been to games in India before, as a player and coach. But I think that’s what makes cricket so great,” he says.“When you go to India, you know it’s going to spin. If you go to Sri Lanka, it’s going to spin. When you go to Australia, it’s going to be fast and bouncy.“You don’t want everything to suddenly become the same. That’s what makes cricket so great. And it’s always a challenge as a player – and for someone like me now as a coach – to be able to coach in these different conditions and excel. That’s the most important thing,” he says.
A grand opening ceremony kicked off ILT20 Season 4
With the number of T20 leagues being played across the world, Trott, who was previously head coach of Pretoria Capitals in SA20 2024-2025, is batting for separate windows for franchise cricket and international cricket.“I certainly think that as the ICC, with the duty to take care of the game, we have to take care of international cricket. I certainly think that maybe there should be windows for international cricket and windows for franchise cricket, so that international teams and franchises know when they are playing their tournaments. This way, everyone can coexist and continue to develop the game and interest more people,” he believes.“So people watching the game know: this month is franchise cricket across the world; next month is international cricket. I think the sport needs that kind of understanding,” he says.When asked about the growth of ILT20, Trott believes the league is growing and will only continue to grow.“You look at the quality of coaches in the league and other teams. You look at the quality of the captains: Pollard, Tim Southee, two very experienced international players. This makes the tournament stronger.“Their presence will do wonders for the local players. They have the best opportunity in the world to learn and watch some of the greatest players. A lot of local players are going to make themselves known in the locker room, in the hotel, in the gym, watching, learning, talking. So I think it can only grow and hopefully it will transcend onto the field,” he said.
