England's Jonathan Trott out of Ashes with 'stress-related' illness

England's Ashes tour hit crisis point today as Jonathan Trott flew home with a 'stress-related' illness.

The 'rock' of the tourists' middle order – who averages 47 after 48 Tests – has been managing the issue for months, team director Andy Flower confirmed today.

Trott said: "I don't feel right that I am playing knowing that I am not 100 per cent and I cannot currently operate at the level I have come to expect. My priority now is to take a break from cricket so that I can focus on my recovery. I want to wish my team-mates all the best for the remainder of the tour." The Warwickshire star left the England camp last night following their defeat in the opening Test at the Gabba, in which his form came under further scrutiny.

The 32-year-old made scores of 10 and nine, getting out in erratic fashion.

Flower said: "He needs time away from this environment, he needs time with his family, he needs time to reassess. This is not the type of environment for that type of rest and recuperation.

"Jonathan has been struggling with this condition for quite some time but managed it successfully."

Flower denied Trott's decision to leave the party had anything to do with the comments of Australia's David Warner, who branded the England batsman's dismissal in the second innings as "weak" and "poor".

But he added: "I would say that players commenting about opposition players in the media is disrespectful.In this case he (Warner) has got that horribly wrong. One of the reasons we don't comment on opposition players is because you don't know what is going on in their dressing room."

And in an ill-timed tweet today, former Aussie opener Matthew Hayden said: "What a joke @MClarke23 fined 20%. Keep driving it into Em Pup #softunderbelly It's the bloody #Ashes up for grabs not tiddly winks."

Marcus Trescothick, who was forced to quit international cricket because of depression, said today: "There is no hiding place. I can totally understand Jonathan Trott's decision."

Dougie Brown, Warwickshire's director of cricket, today pledged full support and said: "Jonathan's health and well-being is obviously our utmost priority."