Trescothick turns focus to 2013

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Marcus Trescothick cannot wait for the new domestic season to come around after his 2012 campaign was interrupted by injury.

He was today given even more reason for optimism when South Africa batsman Alviro Petersen, who could well open with Trescothick, signed for the first part of next campaign.

Former England opener Trescothick, one of the most feared batsmen in the county game, required surgery on his right ankle in April and spent almost three months on the sidelines as a result.

He was therefore unable to pass 1,000 first-class runs for a sixth successive year, although he did manage two centuries before the summer was out, taking his tally to 51.

In an exclusive interview with ecb.co.uk at Taunton, Somerset’s captain reflected on his lengthy lay-off and revealed his desire to score runs remains as strong as ever.

“The injury obviously deprived me of the amount of time I could play, so I’m ready to crack on and get a full season under way really,” said Trescothick.

Marcus Trescothick endured a frustrating 2012. "I didn't realise how much work I would have to put in to get back on the park (following injury)," he said

“That’s what I really enjoy doing. If I can play the whole season and stay injury-free then I’m pretty confident that I can get back up to the standard I reached over the previous years.

“I obviously had a problem and I had a few injections to try and kill the pain. I spoke with the physio the evening before (the injury flared up at Trent Bridge) and I said I can’t carry on much longer like this, because it was just getting too sore.

“The next day, something just popped and I didn’t realise what it would be and how much work I would have to put in to get back on the park.”

Trescothick underwent further surgery on his troublesome ankle at the end of September, but is hopeful of being fully fit by the time Somerset return to county action in April.

“I had another operation at the end of the season, just to take another couple of bone spurs off, and I can only hope really,” he added.

“We’ve got four months now of trying to strengthen it up and get it back to speed, so fingers crossed.

“There’s always going to be little niggles with it. I don’t think it’s ever going to be something that will be completely gone. I think there may be times along the way over the next few years when I will need to have a little clean-up or another injection, just to keep on top of the thing.”

Having scored so prolifically since withdrawing from the international scene, Trescothick, who will turn 37 on Christmas Day, is confident he can continue to prosper at his home county for several more years.

In assessing the likely length of his career, he takes heart from the efforts of several of his recent contemporaries.

“I have no vision of finishing imminently,” he explained, words that will doubtless prove music to the ears of Somerset followers.

“Hopefully within the next few years it will all pan out so that I can carry on beyond then.

“Mark Ramprakash, Robert Croft and Dominic Cork all carried on into their forties and I’d love to do the same.”

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