ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2022

October 21, 2022

Jonathan Trott

Perth Stadium

Afghanistan

Pre Match Media Conference

Q. Jonathan, Afghanistan had a pretty good Asia Cup -- well, nearly did. What about those close finishes? Have you worked out something on that?

JONATHAN TROTT: I hope so. I would definitely agree with you. We had, I think, a pretty good -- I think there was lots of opportunities to win those games, certainly the group games against Sri Lanka and certainly the one against Pakistan.

But I think those are all learning curves and I think a real good learning experience certainly close to a World Cup and how fine those margins are in T20 and being able to close out games or being able to score a few more runs in first innings like we should have against Sri Lanka in the group game, where we didn't get many in the last three or four overs, where we didn't get enough.

So there's sorts of things like that, so putting together a good 40 overs is what we're here to do in every game. Obviously that's unlikely that everyone gets 40 overs correct, but the closer we get to getting that right, the better chance we'll have of winning, and you can only strive for that, can't you.

Q. Do you think Afghanistan had the batters? Ibrahim Zadran has shown that he can bat long. The batters to really carry on and put up a good score, maybe fight it out in the next innings?

JONATHAN TROTT: Yeah, absolutely. We're looking to our openers to set a good platform along with Ibrahim him at three, and we've got some exciting players. We've got some very young, exciting players, guys who perhaps aren't household names like Nabi or Rashid or Mujeeb even, but we've got some players who are exciting and are hopefully going to impress a lot of people and win us plenty of games.

Q. Jonathan, what are you expecting from the pitch here? Obviously the reputation of it being pretty fast and quick, do you think your batters can handle that?

JONATHAN TROTT: Certainly we've prepared for that. Certainly when you look at the fixture list and the games at the Gabba and the games here in Perth, you certainly earmark those for wickets that are going to go through a little bit. It was good experience for us, as well, playing against Pakistan in a warmup pitch certainly for this time of year and the weather that was around.

I think the prep has been really good, and again, we get to use facilities here and have a look, so the guys are ready for tomorrow. The wicket looks really good. It's our first time in the nets. I hear they're very true and very accurate to what's in the middle, so it's good experience for the guys, and they're ready for tomorrow.

Q. How about your spinners? Do you think they could cause some damage with a bit more bounce?

JONATHAN TROTT: Certainly. They're very, very much skilled in playing all around the world, certainly here in the Big Bash and various franchises, so inside knowledge and experience of playing with or against the opposition in all of our matches are going to be crucial from those guys and passing that on and creating a squad of players who's played all around the world and in various conditions, which is brilliant.

Q. How about Rashid? With Afghanistan he bowls a bit later in the innings. Do you think he might come in a bit earlier or might there be a bit of a change of strategy like he is with the BBL?

JONATHAN TROTT: You'll have to wait until tomorrow.

Q. England changed the way the rest of the world played the 50-over format. You've got some insight with the English team, although you played a while ago. What sort of changes can you bring into Afghanistan or what kind of insights can you give Afghanistan in a crucial tournament like T20 World Cup?

JONATHAN TROTT: I wouldn't say there's loads of insights. I think your job as a coach is to obviously come in and see areas perhaps guys can improve on that can improve the consistency in performances because that's all you're ever striving for is guys to be -- certainly with the talent we have squad is to consistently put out performances individually but also as a side, and to have a squad that is competitive in all conditions around the world.

That's what the best teams in the world do, and it's good to strive and have those ambitions.

Q. What about the mindset? Do you think it's at an area that you've got to work with a team like Afghanistan?

JONATHAN TROTT: I think all players in this day and age with the pressures of the game, in the actual match or outside influences, that's so prevalent these days. And just educating the guys on what makes -- getting them to understand themselves and how they get the best out of themselves I think is the job of a coach and something we're striving to do with these players.

The ability to accelerate that learning, especially for the younger players and the talented players that we have I think will only be beneficial to them, again, and as a side going forward and playing competitions like this and Asia Cup is only beneficial for the players.

Q. Just on the Asia Cup, do you think you can work on that mentality in terms of winning mentality? Is that carried from Asia Cup to this World Cup? Is that enough time for you to work on it with the team or do you think it needs more time?

JONATHAN TROTT: I think in T20 because of the games being so close, it's a little bit here, a little bit there.

What I was proud of is getting back into games like against Pakistan with good bits of fielding. One of those and one of the things we've been working on is our fielding, making sure we get an opportunity and are able to put the opposition under pressure.

So they're little things, and all the little percentages hopefully adding up to us putting together a good run in the competition and winning some games.

Q. Finally, before this Asia Cup probably, Afghanistan was always considered a dangerous team. Do you think that phase is over now, that everybody takes them very seriously?

JONATHAN TROTT: I hope not. I hope we're still seen as a dangerous side but a side that's more consistent in taking competitions and getting to the next phases. We're not just here to participate but here to win matches. That's an exciting place to be when you have that mentality but also know that in that change room we've got players and a squad that can do that.

It's all about getting out there on the day, and it's a belief of the players themselves and being able to improve their game in all around, not just batting and bowling but fielding, the way that they think, the ability as teammates to work together.

There are some remarkable stories in that dressing room, and hopefully this campaign is going to be another one of them.

Q. Any updates on Gurbaz and any other injuries in the team?

JONATHAN TROTT: Yeah, everyone is just fine. Should be fine, yeah.

Q. Just on the batting condition, what sort of condition are you looking for tomorrow? Is there a place for someone like Usman Ghani who has been playing well the last few matches?

JONATHAN TROTT: There's a place for everybody on the side. It's whether they're able to take the opportunity when given it and putting good performances. We'll name that side tomorrow at the toss.

Q. How happy are you that Nabi is now back in form in batting?

JONATHAN TROTT: Yeah, whenever Mohammad Nabi is in form, it's good for any team, never mind Afghanistan. If he was in any side in the world, it would certainly make them stronger. So for him certainly as captain leading the side the way he does, very excited to see him with bat and ball in his hand and putting in some more good performances.

Q. You have been with the team for almost four, five, six months now. Can you give me two things that made you happy about them and two things that made you sad and you think Afghanistan players need to work really hard to fix it?

JONATHAN TROTT: So I've been with them since the 6th of August. I don't know how many months that is. Certainly not six.

But things I'm happy, the passion, the desire to get better, the interest in the game and their work ethic at the ground is really good. And the way they are so passionate about winning for Afghanistan is something that's always that you're looking from the outside in. Certainly having played for a different country, you're always excited when you see that as a coach and the passion. Those are certainly the pros.

The things they need to work on, I'll just say the consistency in performance I would say. And understanding when that clicks and how important that is, how much potential and talent in the side. You combine the consistency with that talent and you've got a very, very good side and a side that's going to be competitive in all formats of the game hopefully one day, but certainly here hopefully.

Q. With all these ups and downs back home and participation in such an event, how important for you as a coach and for the Afghan players?

JONATHAN TROTT: I think every nation is proud of whoever represents them, as in this side here. I know they certainly take that very seriously and very passionately about who they represent and what it means for them to play for Afghanistan.

That's only a good thing, I think. It's controlling those emotions and that passion, certainly when you play rival matches.

Tomorrow is going to be exciting. I'm really looking forward to it.

Q. I know you are communicating with them in English, so have you learned any Pashto words from them, and if yes, can you tell us what is it? This question is for our audience back home.

JONATHAN TROTT: I've learnt a few, but I wouldn't trust myself to get the pronunciation right. But I'm certainly trying and understanding and listening to the guys and taken an interest in all the guys, as well, their stories and where they come from and their upbringings and their ambition.

It's always good to sit down and have a chat with a few of them every now and see their cricketing ambition but also their story and how they've got to where they are today.

Q. Afghanistan hasn't played much cricket in Australia. Do you think that will be a setback in this tournament? Second question, we didn't get to see Saleem Safi in the warmup games. Is he fit and well?

JONATHAN TROTT: Well, we've been here for a few weeks and trying to get as accustomed to the conditions and the different variations in the pitches you get here as opposed to the subcontinent. The weather perhaps hasn't allowed us to play on wickets that are as quick and as bouncy as we would have liked in the sort of buildup period, but we had an opportunity at the Gabba the other night, playing a very good and a quick pitch. I think a lot was learned from that, and again, hopefully we can take that experience and apply it into tomorrow's match.

With regards to Saleem, yeah, I've been very impressed with him. Obviously my first tour with him, but very much like what I see. With regards to the attributes that he has, he's a tall, fast, quick bowler, hits the deck really well and is pushing for places.

That's only good. Having competition for places I think is something that you need as a squad, certainly coming to competitions and the amount of cricket that the side plays. So that's only healthy, and he's certainly pushing the other seamers, as well.

Q. A couple of the Afghan players in the current squad have played BBL for quite a few years. How important will be their presence in this tournament and the team?

JONATHAN TROTT: I think critical. I think certainly when you look at the players or you hear the players talking amongst themselves, very much like sponging information off Nabi or Rashid or Mujeeb, and sometimes the -- from my experience, going to the unknown is actually one of those things where you just go and you let your natural cricketing instincts take over and you go play. I think sometimes as cricketers the more you play, sometimes you start looking for things that perhaps aren't there. So the inexperience I think can actually be a bit of a blessing for the players and just go out there and express themselves and play fearless cricket really.

Q. How do you compare Afghanistan and England team for tomorrow? Not as Afghanistan coach, as a professional cricketer.

JONATHAN TROTT: How do I compare them? I'd say there's a lot of talent in both sides. A lot more you would say international experience in playing in competitions in the England side in all formats of the game. They're continuously playing against in all formats, continuously playing against the top teams, so that's what I would say.

The one thing I do know is the England side is not taking us lightly. We're not taking them lightly. So there's a lot of similarities in that way. They know they're going to get a good match tomorrow, and they'll be wanting to start off their campaign just like we are, so there's lots of similarities in the side.

I think we have some talented players who are ready to show the world what they're capable of. That's what I'm excited about.

Everybody in the world knows about the England team and the individuals there, and that's where I'd say the difference is. We have players who are ready to burst on to the scene.

Q. Do you sense an excitement within the team to play in Australia? Obviously there was meant to be a test here two years ago that was canceled. Do you sense a real sort of excitement amongst the group?

JONATHAN TROTT: For sure, definitely. You've certainly sensed a buildup, as well, of excitement when we first got here and new experiences for the players, but now certainly it's coming to the business end.

You just listen to the conversations, you're looking at the body language, it's very exciting for me as a coach. But again, it's about controlling those emotions and that excitement and channeling it in the right places and right direction.

Q. Do you hope Afghanistan can play Australia in bilaterals in the future? Obviously there's a little bit of uncertainty in regards to that.

JONATHAN TROTT: Absolutely. I can only see that being a very good series and something that I think the world cricketing stage would be very excited about.