London, July 17 (IANS) England's star batsman Jonathan Trott has admitted that alcohol almost ruined his cricketing career.

Trott said that he restricts himself to only an occasional beer or wine and drinking night-outs are off-limits for him.

"I used to go nuts and it affected the image people had of me. 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," Trott was quoted as saying by The Cricketer.

"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."

Asked what motivates him, Trott said: "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. Andy (Flower) wouldn't let me rest on my laurels anyway."

Trott said that he is working hard to improve his ODI performance.

"It's something I'm working on with Andy and Graham (Gooch). It's about weighing up the best option. Sometimes I err on the side of caution too much," he said.