T20 World Cup | I gave it my all after coming here by chance: Trott on his Afghanistan coaching stint

Jonathan Trott was hailed as a “rock” of England’s batting unit by former director of cricket Andy Flower; he was one of the more resolute ones.

But on Thursday, emotions appeared to get the better of the 44-year-old, who finished a memorable stint as the Afghanistan head coach following the conclusion of the team’s campaign in the T20 World Cup at the MAC Stadium here.

“Maybe the time’s right, maybe it’s not. I don’t know, but I wish everyone the best in the future. I’m very thankful for getting the opportunity. I got the opportunity by chance, really. Graham Thorpe was supposed to be the coach and he unfortunately couldn’t take up the role,” Trott said after Afghanistan’s win over Canada.

“I then got offered the job and took it with both hands. So I’m here by chance. I gave it my all. I hope the players can see the love that I have for the game and the care that I have for them as players and as people,” he added.

For the South Africa-born Trott, who guided Afghanistan to the semifinals of the T20 WC in 2024, one of the joys of the job was developing players off the field as well and seeing lives change. “Forget the cricket side, seeing guys equipping themselves… they were developing as young boys when I took over and have developed into young men. It is something that is worthwhile.”

On the field, he wanted his players to find different ways to win. “I’ve often said this to the players. It’s not about being able to win route-one. It’s about being able to win different kinds of ways, or win ugly,” Trott said.

Asked if he harboured hopes of coaching England in the future, he said: “I’d love to one day have the opportunity to coach a team that I hold so dear to my heart.”