Trescothick backed by Somerset to captain county

Trescothick backed by Somerset to captain county

Published Oct. 16, 2009 3:57 p.m. ET

Marcus Trescothick is still set to captain Somerset next season despite pulling out of the Twenty20 Champions League in India because of a recurrence of his stress-related illness. Trescothick flew home with his wife to England this week suffering from the complaint that forced his retirement from international cricket last year, but his county will not review its decision to ask him to lead the side in 2010. "Everyone connected with the club and cricket is aware how brave it was of him and Hayley to even travel out there in the first place," Somerset chairman Andy Nash told the BBC. "This is not a step back for Marcus. It was a victory for him to get there. "We are full of admiration for what he has done for us. We are looking forward to him being a highly successful captain for us from next season." The 33-year-old Trescothick scored 1,817 runs in this season's County Championship at an average of 75.70. His wife, Hayley, traveled with him in an effort to help him avoid the depression and anxiety that forced his withdrawal from the 2005-06 Ashes and a preseason Somerset tour to the United Arab Emirates. But the opening batsman scored 17 runs in two tournament innings before informing director of cricket Brian Rose that he wanted to leave. Somerset qualified for the Super Eight stage but will now play on without him. "I think he enjoyed his initial few days but at the end of the day he wasn't 100 percent and I think it was best for the team and certainly best for Marcus that he did go home to his family," Rose told the BBC. "I don't think his long-term future with Somerset is threatened in any way, shape or form. "He'll be a great player for us in years to come but perhaps we know it is now a black and white situation about traveling abroad again to play cricket." Trescothick led Somerset last season when Justin Langer had a back problem and the experience of 5,825 runs in 76 tests helped make him the strongest contender to succeed the former Australia great. His contributions will now be limited to matches in Britain. "I wish him well for a speedy recovery," said Vikram Solanki, the Worcestershire captain who is acting chief executive with the Professional Cricketers' Association. "Whatever help he might require, the PCA will be very willing to help. "There is quite clearly a provision for counseling if that is what is needed. Certainly there is always someone on the end of the phone if it is needed. We're a pretty close-knit unit around county cricket and I'm sure there will be no shortage of people on hand to help if he so requires."

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