The secret of success at the very top of international sport is not just natural playing ability. Talent comes first but there are many who are not naturally gifted but have still managed to excel at the elite level.

So it must be something else.

Looking at world class players across sports, the one common denominator is the capacity to handle pressure and fight it out no matter what.

The case of England batsman Jonathan Trott, however, is peculiar.

With 3,763 runs at an average of 46.45 from 49 Test under his belt, along with nine centuries, Trott seemed to have cracked the code. He displayed an ability to go about his business irrespective of the situation. But it all fell apart after the first Ashes Test in Brisbane late last year.

After being bounced out by Aussie quick Mitchell Johnson, Trott left the touring party amid suggestions he was suffering from a stress-related illness. The South-African born batsman later revealed he felt burnt out but opinion about his mindset had already been formed.