Wisden Cricket Weekly “I’d love to coach England” – Jonathan Trott on Afghanistan, the Ashes and coaching ambitions
Jan 26, 2026
Jonathan Trott, former England Test No.3 and now Afghanistan head coach who guided them to T20 World Cup heights. He talks about building structure and belief in Afghanistan, navigating language and culture, protecting players from politics, hopes for their World Cup, and his own coaching ambitions including a desire to lead England one day.
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Afghanistan's New Status
- Afghanistan have moved from underdogs to a team that can beat anyone on their day and must now manage external expectations.
- Jonathan Trott stresses the honour of World Cups and the need for consistency at tournaments.
Add Structure To Talent
- Add structure and clarity to raw talent to create consistent international performances.
- Teach players clear decision-making for split-second moments in the field.
Coaching Without Written Words
- Coaching in Afghanistan requires non-written communication because many players cannot read.
- Trott reads body language and adapts messaging to cultural and literacy differences.