Marcus Trescothick optimistic he can deal with being on tour after stress-related problems ended England Test career
MARCUS TRESCOTHICK is confident he can hit the road again with England in his new role as full-time batting coach. Tresco was one of England’s finest opening batsmen but his 76-Test career was ended by stress-related problems linked to time away from home. Now the Somerset legend says he wants to tour once more and […]
MARCUS TRESCOTHICK is confident he can hit the road again with England in his new role as full-time batting coach.
Tresco was one of England’s finest opening batsmen but his 76-Test career was ended by stress-related problems linked to time away from home.
Now the Somerset legend says he wants to tour once more and believes he can manage around a month at a time overseas.
Trescothick, 45, was confirmed as batting coach while Kiwi Jeetan Patel becomes permanent spin coach and ex-Gloucestershire seamer Jon Lewis gets the fast bowling job.
Others who applied for the roles included Jonathan Trott and former Windies speedster Curtly Ambrose.
Trescothick makes no secret of his coaching ambitions and hopes the job is a stepping stone to becoming a county head coach and ultimately maybe the top man for an international team.
He explained: “Being away from home is an ongoing process for me. I’ve learned to adapt and have gradually built it up from a couple of days in Spain, then a week in Spain, two weeks in Abu Dhabi and so on.
“I’ve cut my teeth and become more confident. Every trip I do, the more I realise how much I enjoyed the touring life.
“But that’s not to say I’m ready to jump back in and do six weeks or two months or three months away. I’m not ready for that yet.
“I said to them perhaps three, four or five weeks, I’m open to that. It’s gradually getting easier – my two girls are growing up and less dependent on me and I’ve become more and more confident about dealing with it.”
Tresco should be in India now for the white ball matches that follow the Tests but a family bereavement meant he could not join the team’s charter flight last Friday.
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TRESCOTHICK FOR ENGLAND
TRESCOTHICK Test batting record
Matches – 76
Runs – 5,825
Average – 43.79
Hundreds – 14
Fifties – 29
Highest score – 219
He has been on two short trips with England to South Africa as batting consultant in the past 14 months and it made him realise how much he loved representing his country.
‘Banger’ explained: “Those little journeys worked really well. I loved it. I know South Africa is a great place but it reminded me of the good bits. It felt different because the stresses and strains and intensity of playing were not there. As a coach, you work hard but in a different way.
“And I absolutely loved putting on the England training kit. I’m an absolute kit nuffy when it comes to the little bits and pieces. I remember going to South Africa and walking out at the Wanderers with my kit on. It felt so special and that’s not changed from being a player to a coach.
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“I was given an England helmet the other week and I took it home and I was like, ‘Oh, wow.’ It’s the appreciation of what a special environment you’re in.”
Trescothick has given up his job as Somerset assistant-coach after almost 30 years with the county.
He added: “Making that decision was not easy but I want to become a head coach somewhere and think about international stuff after that.
“My role with England will be across many different areas – young Lions to the Lions to the main side. I’ll get the opportunity to develop players while also working with the England senior team.”