Trescothick forced to fly back home after relapse
MARCUS TRESCOTHICK’S brave bid to overcome his stress-related illness and lead Somerset to Champions League glory in India, ended in tears yesterday when he was forced to pull out of the tournament and fly home early.
The 33-year-old was touring overseas for the first time in three years since being forced to curtail his international career with a depression and anxiety condition.
But just a week into the trip, the opening batsman decided the emotional burden was too much and flew back to his west country home last night after a heart-to-heart with Somerset director of cricket Brian Rose.
“Marcus has made a great effort to travel to India,” Rose explained. “Regrettably it has not worked out for him regarding his personal well-being and he has travelled back to England to rejoin his family. The club and all his team mates have fully appreciated this effort.”
Trescothick’s latest relapse will now surely convince doubters that his international career is indeed over as just this summer he was being touted for a recall for the final Ashes Test against Australia at The Oval.
His illness has forced him to return home early from two England tours – to India in February 2006 and Australia in November 2006 – and also caused him to collapse at Heathrow Airport while flying out on a pre-season tour of the United Arab Emirates with Somerset in March 2008.
With that, Trescothick retired from international cricket, but after being named Somerset captain for next season, chose to risk a relapse and open the batting for the Sabres in the inaugural Twenty20 Champions League.
Despite Trescothick scoring just 17 runs in his two innings, the Sabres qualified for the next stage after beating IPL champions Deccan Chargers before losing to Trinidad & Tobago.
Indeed, it was as the Sabres flew out from Bangalore to Hyderabad for today’s Super Eights opener against NSW Blues, that the news broke.
Trescothick never hid his fears of a relapse, however, admitting before the tour: “I know the risk and I know what happens when it goes wrong.
“I can only try. It’s a big competition for the players and the club. I have to try and make it happen.”