Trescothick excited by chance

Marcus Trescothick is pleased to be in the England squad again

Marcus Trescothick was delighted to be named in the provisional squad for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in South Africa and said: “I’m desperate to play for England again.”

The 31-year-old Somerset left-hander was named in a 30-man squad to take part in the two-week event this September, his first call-up since returning home early from last winter’s Ashes tour with a recurrence of his stress-related illness.

Trescothick was one of a number of surprise names in the party, which has to be reduced to 15 by August 11.

There are recalls for Leicestershire’s Jeremy Snape and Warwickshire captain Darren Maddy, while Surrey’s Chris Schofield was rewarded for his prolific wicket-taking in the Twenty20 Cup group stage with a call-up.

Trescothick’s inclusion is the first sign that he is on the road to recovery and is ready to resume his successful international career, which stalled after he was forced to return home from his last two England tours.

The August 11 deadline to name the final squad for the tournament gives both parties time to consider the implications of his selection, but Trescothick remains positive about his inclusion after speaking to chairman of selectors David Graveney.

“David contacted me at the weekend about my availability and I told him I would be delighted to be named in the squad,” Trescothick said.

“There can be no guarantees at this stage and I made that clear, but if I continue the progress I’ve made this summer I’ll be very hopeful of taking part.

Trescothick is hopeful of taking part in the upcoming Twenty20 tournament © Getty Images

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“I’m desperate to play for England again, but as determined as ever not to commit myself before I am as convinced as I can be that I am ready to take on the challenge of international cricket and all that goes with it again.

“I feel I’m getting there. I’m also under treatment for a groin problem, which will need monitoring in the coming weeks.

“So, while I am very pleased to be in the squad and eager to play in the Twenty20 World Cup, I want to stress that I’m still taking things a step at a time.

“The fact it’s a relatively short trip is obviously appealing as a way of testing myself in an international environment abroad," Trescothick told told www.somersetcountycc.co.uk.

"I also feel the people who have been working with me on my stress problems have given me some tools I can use if things start to get on top of me again.”

With that in mind, the ECB will continue to monitor and talk to Trescothick before the final decision is made in a month’s time to ensure there is no repeat of his premature return home.

“We’re pleased that Marcus has made a successful return to county cricket this summer and he remains a world-class opening batsman, but we’ll not be placing undue pressure on him to make a return to international cricket without first carefully considering all the issues involved,” explained Graveney.

“Ultimately, we will be guided by Marcus and the ECB medical staff as to his availability and I would anticipate that further discussions will take place with him before the squad is narrowed down to 15 in mid-August.”

Trescothick has enjoyed a successful season out of the limelight of international cricket and averages 65 in the LV County Championship, but has struggled in limited-overs cricket.

Trescothick said: “I haven’t had a great one-day season so far so I’ll be aiming to get some Pro40 runs for Somerset, but in championship cricket I’m delighted with the way things have gone and couldn’t be happier with my form.”