Trescothick out to go one better

Marcus Trescothick insists Somerset are capable of mounting a sustained challenge for the LV= County Championship title

Marcus Trescothick is confident Somerset will learn from the mistakes they made last year as they chase glory in the LV= County Championship.

The former England opening batsman was a key figure behind Somerset’s early-season charge in 2008, but a failure to win any of their last eight matches cost them the chance of lifting the trophy.

While Trescothick claims am inability to handle growing expectations lay behind their slump last summer, he has faith that the current crop of players can right those wrongs.

“It was knowing that we were getting quite close ,” Trescothick told the ECB’s TwelfthMan Podcast, the fourth edition of which went live this week.

“We had a few injuries towards the end, and people losing a bit of form along the way, so we couldn’t quite push for home and it didn’t happen for us.

“If we can put ourselves in a similar sort of position this year I believe we’ll be better equipped to cope with those sort of pressures and deal with the things that come with trying to win the trophy. We’re pushing hard for it.”

Despite an alarming dip in form towards the end of last summer, Trescothick amassed 1,258 championship runs at an average of 46.

The year was also notable for the publication of his critically-acclaimed autobiography, which charted his battle against depression in frank terms.

Justin Langer and Trescothick watch Somerset's hopes of a trophy slip away towards the end of last season

Trescothick admits the demands of writing the book played a part in his late-season struggles with the bat, but his relief is palpable when he discusses its recuperative effects.

“Last year was a really busy year for me - I was playing cricket here, writing the book but also having a benefit season,” he added.

“I was so intense; it really hindered me towards the end of the year. But while I was writing the book it gave me a lot of emphasis and a lot of buzz about what was going on.

“Finally when it came out in public there were no more questions for me to answer because everything was there for people to see.”

Trescothick has served Somerset with distinction since 1993, and there is no better illustration of the high regard in which he is held at Taunton that a stand at the ground now bears his name.

Though aged 33 now and entering the twilight of his career, Trescothick insists retirement is not on his radar.

“As many as I can possibly churn out,” he said when asked how many seasons he has left in him. “Starting at 16 years old, I’d love to play until I’m 40 or so.

“f I can achieve that then that would be pretty good. But it gets a lot harder the older you got, so you’ve got to keep working hard behind the scenes to keep up with these young boys.”