Jonathan Trott looks to be in line for a recall in the first Test against West Indies, which begins on 13 April in Antigua, after being named in the England side for Tuesday’s warm-up match against St Kitts & Nevis Invitational XI.
Trott has not played for England since leaving the 2013-14 Ashes tour after the first Test, because of a stress-related condition. The batsman, who has featured in 49 Tests for England, impressed on England Lions’ tour of South Africa earlier this year.
The first signs of Trott’s likely return came when he was named in the travelling party for the three-Test tour of the Caribbean, and he had been preferred to Yorkshire’s Adam Lyth in practice sessions.
England confirmed Trott’s selection on Twitter on Monday afternoon. Trott will open the batting alongside captain Alastair Cook, himself returning from a three-month absence from England duty.
Cook had last week expressed doubts about whether Trott was ready for a Test return, saying “you don’t know 100% until he’s put out in the environment – that is always unknown,” but also defended Trott’s record and recent form.
“His record is fantastic and when he came into the England side we scored a lot of runs. He has almost demanded selection and it’s great for me to see him back in an England shirt. He’s a great guy and if he gets his chance he’ll be desperate to do well.”
