In 27th season with Somerset, Marcus Trescothick chasing Championship dream

In 2018, Trescothick signed a one-year extension with the county and feels hopeful of success.

As he prepares for his 27th season of first-class cricket, the former England opener Marcus Trescothick hopes to be able to achieve what he has not done since the day he made his debut for Somerset in 1993 – help his club win the County Championship.

The 43-year-old is Somerset’s all-time leading run-getter and has more first-class hundreds (52) and more List A runs (7374) than anyone in the county’s history. In 2018, Trescothick signed a one-year extension with the county and feels that the vibe in the dressing room is good ahead of the season.

“The club is in a good place and the squad has been built nicely,” he told the Somerset County Gazette. “The introduction of Jack Brooks gives us more experience in the attack – everyone is that year more experienced and more attuned to what goes on in first-class cricket which can give you that extra percentage. If we get a bit of luck with injuries and things go our way then you never know.” (READ: Sir Alastair Cook hits pre-Championship form with 150*)

Trescothick scored 22 and 37 in Somerset’s pre-season warm-up win by 588 runs over Cardiff Marylebone Cricket Club University last week.

“Preparations have gone well. Abu Dhabi was great, I really enjoyed the trip, and the [Cardiff] Uni game here last week was pretty good as well. All in all, we are pretty pleased with where we are,” he said.

For the 2018-19 County Championship, Somerset will be without the veteran allrounder Peter Trego who has retired from first-class cricket but plies his trade in the white-ball formats. (READ: Jack Leach signs extension with Somerset until end of 2020 season)

“It will be a lot quieter, that is for sure,” said Trescothick of Trego’s absence for the Championship. “He will still be around, just not in terms of playing Championship, but I am sure he will still perform really well in one-day cricket.” (READ: Heath Streak appointed bowling coach of Somerset)

Not just on the county front, Trescothick also looks forward to 2019 because of the World Cup and Ashes held in England.

“It’s a huge summer,” he said. “Come the end of September we could have had an Ashes victory and a World Cup victory. The potential for what that could do for the game is huge. We also have the three World Cup games here [at Taunton] which will be spectacular, especially under the lights.”