London, July 16 : England batsman Jonathan Trott has admitted that drinking made him "go nuts" and giving up alcohol made helped him become a mainstay of the England side since 2009.

"If he hadn't given up alcohol, I don't think I'd be sitting here today," Trott said, adding that there were times when drink made him "go nuts".

The 30-year-old South Africa born run-machine has been regular in the England side since making a century on Test debut against Australia at the Oval in 2009, The Age reports.

The Warwickshire right-hander still believes that his international career may never have taken off if he hadn't banished the booze.

"I used to go nuts and it affected the image people had of me," Trott told The Cricketer magazine.

"It used to cloud my judgment, 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," he said.

There has long been a drinking culture associated with cricket, and Trott said: "It can be quite tough but the guys in the team understand. 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."

Trott added: "My ambition was always to play international cricket, to test myself against the best. ''I want to be the best I can be, to constantly improve. [England coach] Andy [Flower] wouldn't let me rest on my laurels anyway." (ANI)