As the 2007 county season approaches, we will be compiling a list of six men to watch; not necessarily the finest players, but those with particularly significant and interesting seasons ahead. Also keep an eye on King Cricket's list.
Marcus Trescothick (Somerset)
Trescothick’s last year has been extremely traumatic, with twin tour walkouts and an international future looking doubtful in the extreme. But he took out some of his anger on Devon in a pre-season game, plundering a phenomenal 117-ball 256.
While he is said to have been in fine spirits during pre-season training with Somerset, his mental welfare will palpably continue to remain a great concern. Even if he scores bucketfuls of runs, the English selectors will obviously need much convincing that he is in a fit state to return. And, despite his assertions to the contrary, does Trescothick really want to play for England again, considering all the pressures of doing so?
In the meantime, pulverising mediocre county attacks in tranquil surroundings should help Trescothick; hopefully, he will revel in the glorious futility of sport. His opening partner and county captain Justin Langer - whom he will form a potentially superb opening partnershp with - could be crucial in helping him recover his focus.
If anyone doubts how much England need him, they should only see their opening struggles in the Caribbean. But a return is a long way off, and we should just be pleased to see Trescothick enjoy a harmonious and productive county season.
5 comments:
Add Trescothick to our team and things would look a whole lot different. He still has 4-5 years in him. hopefully he will be back to mental fitness and form soon. Even if it takes a year, he is worth waiting for. He has been a terrific servant and will continue to be I have no doubt. England miss you Banger!
Will England come calling? Will he cope? This season could be interesting in more than one way for Somerset and Trescothick. I reckon he will get buckets full of runs, playing against second division attacks and this could be the boost Somerset needed to help them get promotion. You would back against an opening partnership of Trescothick and Langer to pile on the runs and if a middle order does well, this could be a handy season.
To be honest I hope England don't come calling for him (in tests - ODI's please come back) because: His stress related illness could come back and who do we drop? Colly, Cook and Bell are playing to well to drop - If Tres fails on his return it will have weakened us not strengthened us.
Mind you whinging pom, I see you didn't include Straussy in ur list! Him and Colli are the men under pressure in the Test Side.
I can't see Tresco back in the test team for some time now. Strauss, Cook and Vaughan are ahead of him in the pecking order for the top three.
It may be in his interest to do a Gough, retire from tests and if he wants to, concentrate on the One Dayers. He's been sorely missed in the World Cup and it would mean shorter trips away from home.
Interesting comments.
Personally, I think he needs at least a season of cricket to prove he is ready to return again. The Twenty20 World Cup must be a good indicator of how he is shaping up; England would have little to use selecting him then.
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