Tres looking on the bright side

Marcus Trescothick is in a positive frame of mind for the Ashes © Getty Images

Marcus Trescothick is ready for the challenge of the Ashes - even though he admits he “fell out of love” with cricket at times this year.

England’s 30-year-old opener, who arrived down under with his team-mates yesterday for the start of the five-match Test series against Australia, missed the Champions Trophy because of a “stress-related illness”.

It was the second time in little more than six months that Trescothick had been a conspicuous absentee from an England trip to India, having left the Test tour of that country in similar circumstances last spring.

Yet it was towards the end of the recently concluded English summer that Trescothick recognised he needed more time away from cricket.

"I knew towards the end of the season I needed a bit of a break. The summer wasn't good for me," he said.

"Dealing with all the pressures of the illness and trying to compete at a high level of sport is not easy to do."

© Getty Images

"I knew something was wrong. I needed time away from playing - it was becoming hard work.

"When you start to fall out of love with something you've been in love with for years it's a bit scary at times.”

Trescothick believes it was a step forward when he began to be honest with himself.

"To admit it to yourself is very tough - but then having to tell other people about it, you feel like you're weak, that people are going to perceive you in a certain manner.

"But it was the best thing for me, to get it out in the open, to tell people what was going on just so people would understand and give me the opportunity to get myself well, come back and start enjoying the game and doing well again."

Trescothick believes he can now start looking forward again with renewed enthusiasm and confidence.

"I feel good - I'm itching to get going," said the Somerset left-hander.

"Having watched the guys out in India, the excitement when the team gets a wicket, I want to get back out there.

"When you've have had a rest it rekindles the buzz you've longed for all your career."