Trusty Jonathan Trott is England's Mr Reliable

England batsman Jonathan Trott, who quit the Ashes tour of Australia Monday due to a stress-related illness, is known for the reliability of his run-making and his painstaking, methodical play.

Born in South Africa, Trott worked his way up to emerge as a key player for England since his Test debut against Australia at The Oval in 2009, making more than 3,500 Test runs at a healthy average of 46.45.

The 32-year-old right-hander has carved a reputation as a trustworthy bulwark of England Test innings, with his slow, steady scoring and ability to wear down opposition bowlers.

But he was noticeably out of sorts in last week's Ashes opener, making scores of 10 and nine and getting out tamely each time to pace bowler Mitchell Johnson.

"I don't feel it's right that I'm playing knowing that I'm not 100 percent and I cannot currently operate at the level I have done in the past," Trott said after quitting the tour.

Trott has been an important run-getter for England in Tests and one-day games but has been criticised for slow scoring in the shorter format, with his ODI strike rate in the mid-70s.

"It's about weighing up the best option," he has said of his method, admitting: "Sometimes I err on the side of caution too much."

Trott was a key figure in England's 3-0 victory over Australia in this year's earlier Ashes series which wrapped up in August.

Much is made of the time Trott spends taking his guard, fidgeting and digging his mark at the crease when he comes in to bat.

He had not previously revealed that he suffered from a stress disorder, although England coach Andy Flower suggested it was a long-term condition.

In 2011, the married father-of-one revealed that giving up alcohol had been a key factor in his development as an international cricketer.

"I used to go nuts and it affected the image people had of me," he told Cricketer magazine. "It used to cloud my judgement, not just that night, but for days afterwards.

"I still have the occasional beer or glass of wine but, when it comes to nights out, you probably won't find me around them.

"In the past I'd have been at the front of the queue (for a drink). But I honestly don't think I'd be sitting here today if I did still drink."

In the same interview, Trott said his ambition had always been to play international cricket and "to test myself against the best".

"I want to be the best I can be, to constantly improve," he said.

His departure leaves England with a hole to fill in their batting line-up as they try to battle back from 1-0 down after last week's big Ashes Test defeat in Brisbane.