Jim Troughton's emergence was a gift to punsters and headline-writers across the country. When he was called into England's one-day squad for the 2003 NatWest Series against South Africa and Zimbabwe, a dashing left-hander who had made his name with some aggressive innings in first-class cricket, rarely a day went by without reference to his grandfather, Patrick, who starred as Dr Who on BBC Television in the 1960s. Despite impressing in the field, he struggled with the bat and made a highest score of just 20 in six games. He was never selected again.

Back in county cricket, he remained a key part of the Warwickshire side in all formats, though a weakness against the short ball saw his first-class record decline after a bright start to his career.

Promoted to the Warwickshire captaincy at the end of 2010, he responded by leading the side to the county championship title in 2012, proving a calm and wise leader. A long-term back problem subsequently limited his availability, however, and after surgery in early 2014 failed to his ease the problem, he was forced into retirement in August.

He soon joined the coaching staff and, after the sacking of Dougie Brown at the end of the 2016 season, was appointed head coach under director of sport, Ashley Giles. While his first season at the helm saw Warwickshire relegated in the Championship, reaching the final of the T20 Blast with a side containing several young players provided help of better times to come.
George Dobell