SYDNEY (AFP) - England batsman Jonathan Trott has left the tour of Australia with a "stress-related illness", it was announced today, a day after the tourists had suffered one of their biggest Ashes defeats.

The shock departure comes after he had made scores of 10 and nine in the first Test match which England lost by 381 runs.

"Jonathan Trott has returned from England's current tour of Australia with a stress-related illness," said a tweet from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

"Trott will take a break from cricket for the foreseeable future and will take no further part in the tour... Trott's return to cricket will be determined in due course."

Unusually poor form by the South African-born No. 3 batsman was noticeable in Brisbane, with Australia's David Warner calling his first-innings dismissal "pretty poor and weak".

Trott has been a stalwart of the England team in recent years, averaging 46.45 in his 49 Test matches.

In brief comments released by the ECB, Trott did not give any details of his condition but said he could not play on "knowing that I'm not 100 per cent".

"My priority now is to take a break from cricket so that I can focus on my recovery."