Trott admits 'felt guilty' after withdrawing early from England's Ashes debacle

England batsman Jonathan Trott has admitted that he felt 'guilty' after withdrawing early from the Ashes tour debacle in Australia with a 'stress-related illness'.

Trott left England's Ashes tour of Australia after twice falling cheaply to fast bowler Mitchell Johnson in a crushing 381-run loss in the first Test at Brisbane and his departure came during a wretched tour where England were whitewashed 5-0, followed by the exits of Graeme Swann, Andy Flower and Kevin Pietersen.

According to News.com.au, Trott admitted that he felt like he had abandoned his teammates, especially when they were struggling, adding that it was tough for him to be at home while his teammates were getting whitewashed in Australia.

Trott was already in Hong Kong when the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed he had left the tour and he said that afterwards a feeling of guilt started 'kicking in', which worsened an already fragile condition where he was beset with headaches, lack of sleep, lack of appetite and depression.

Stating that he was 'mentally and emotionally pretty drained', Trott also said that he feared a public backlash and being called a 'nut case' back in England, although he is confident he will be ready to make a return to cricket with county side Warwickshire in May.

Trott is looking to return to England duty in a ODI against Scotland on May 9 and hopes to make a return to the squad at the end of the month for a series against Sri Lanka, the report added.