http://sport.guardian.co.uk/cricket/story/0,,1865913,00.htmlllness forces Trescothick out of Champions Trophy
Opener ruled out due to stress-related illness
Staff and agencies
Wednesday September 6, 2006
Guardian Unlimited Marcus Trescothick has been ruled out of England's plans for next month's ICC Champions Trophy after being sidelined with a stress-related illness.
England's selectors have revealed the Somerset left-hander will not be included in their 14-man squad for what is regarded as a small-scale version of the World Cup. Trescothick will stay at home when the squad fly out to the sub-continent at the start of October to undergo specialist help for his problems.
It follows Trescothick's return from the tour to India earlier this year, which was initially blamed on family reasons but the explanation was later changed to a "virus".
A statement from Performance Healthcare, the specialists treating Trescothick, confirmed today: "After his return from the tour of India in March, Marcus sought specialist help for his on-going symptoms. In addition to the effects of the acquired gastrointestinal infection on his health, it later became evident that he was also suffering from an underlying stress-related illness.
"He has been receiving specialist treatment, which has allowed him to resume his position in the England team. However, we believe that it would be premature for him to tour India in October. Rest is an important part of his treatment and he will need recovery time before the Ashes tour of Australia, which begins in November."
Since returning from India, Trescothick has played every match for England but after making a triumphant return with a century in his comeback match against Sri Lanka at Lord's at the start of the summer, he has averaged just 19.7. He was also dismissed by the first ball of the match during England's latest defeat in the NatWest Series, a two-wicket defeat against Pakistan at the Rose Bowl last night.
The statement points to signs of improvement from Trescothick. "Marcus has made significant progress, witnessed by the fact that he is now at a stage where he has openly accepted the full extent of the illness which he suffered," it read. "The medical regime put in place to support him has enabled him to play a full part in this summer's international programme, however being overseas for the Champions Trophy would interrupt the current treatment."
Chairman of selectors David Graveney is hopeful that Trescothick will be fit for the Ashes. "It is a blow that Marcus will not be available for the Champions Trophy but we are delighted he will be available for selection for the tour of Australia which follows," he said. While Graveney was sympathetic, Fletcher was clearly irritated that one of his top players would be missing one of the major warm-up events before next March's World Cup in West Indies.
"There has been a short discussion over the last couple of days. It's a very sensitive issue, it's a medical issue and it's one of those uncontrollables like most of them have been," said Fletcher. "One of our top, world-class players is not going to a tournament and we can't control the situation. At this stage, from the advice we've heard, I'm optimistic for the Ashes. To lose him is a big blow to us."
Trescothick's place in England's line-up for the remaining two matches of the NatWest Series is now in doubt with Fletcher considering the possibility of looking at alternative openers for the games at Trent Bridge and Edgbaston.
But Trescothick remains committed to England's bid to retain the Ashes. "I'm grateful for all the support and understanding which has been shown to me and my family during the period of treatment which I have undertaken since my return from India," he said. "I was keen to take part in the Champions Trophy, but I do appreciate that my specialist's advice is that I must first continue the treatment devised for me.
"Having come to terms with the full extent of my illness last winter, I recognise that I am now well on course to make a full recovery and I am determined to play a full part in the Ashes tour."
AuthorTopic: Trescothick and India - Opener ruled out due to stress-related illness (Read 685 times)
December 17, 2006, 11:55:29 AM