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Trescothick’s bangers mashed
By Will last year, at the start of October, 3 Comments »
If Marcus Trescothick was attempting to prove cricketers’ natural hand-eye co-ordination could allow them to switch to other sports - namely baseball - then it didn’t really work. In a match held at Taunton for his benefit year, Trescothick’s side of Somerset-cider-swiggers and some England players lost 21-1 to the Great Britain side. A trouncing. A whalloping. A whipping. But some interesting snippets came of the event, as told by the American-sounding (but who I think is British)
3 Comments »In cricket, fielders have decisions to make when throwing the ball but unsure how to reconcile their instinct with a foreign sport, Trescothick’s men rushed throws to incorrect locations. “When we play cricket we know the percentages when we throw it in from the field,” Giles said after pitching two innings and conceding 11 hits and 14 runs, although many of those runs were caused by defensive miscues. “It’s different with baseball.”
Stephan Rapaglia, the Britain coach, said after the contest: “The deficit is in the knowledge of the game. Many of these guys are capable based on arm strength, fielding ability and hand-eye co-ordination and could be pretty good at baseball after ten or 15 games.”
Sweet taste of failure?
By Will last year, at the end of August, 2 Comments »
Patrick reminds us that the furore surrounding Marcus Trescothick’s, er, revelation about the Murray Mints involved the 2001 Ashes, not 2005 as widely published by the media. And me. England, of course, lost the 2001 contest, “proving that when it comes to cheating, we suck” (nice line, Padders!).
He has more to say:
2 Comments »But bowlers have always tried to give themselves an advantage and generally, unless it has been blatant, umpires have turned a blind eye. Suncream-laden sweat or lip balm has the same effect on leather as mint-infused saliva. Why do you think so many bowlers in the 1950s wore Brylcreem? In 1921, Johnny Douglas, the England captain, threatened to report Arthur Mailey, the Australia leg spinner, for using resin to grip the ball. Mailey countered by pointing out that Douglas’s thumbnail was worn to the bone by picking at the ball’s seam to aid his own bowlers.
Suck it and see
By Will last year, at the end of August, 3 Comments »
The ICC are being uncomfortably sensible lately. The latest piece of common sense from Dubai surrounds Marcus Trescothick’s “revelation” that he and England used Murray Mints (surely the finest mintage) to help swing the ball during the 2005 Ashes.
“It was my job to keep the shine on the new ball for as long as possible with a bit of spit and a lot of polish,” he said in his autobiography Coming Back To Me. “And through trial and error I finally settled on the type of spit for the task at hand.
“It had been common knowledge in county cricket for some time that certain sweets produced saliva which, when applied to the ball for cleaning purposes, enabled it to keep its shine for longer and therefore its swing.” He found Murray Mints worked the best.
Of course, using artificial means of doctoring a cricket ball is illegal (think bottle tops, sand, a handful of gravel, etc), but the laws surrounding sweets are less clear. After all, it’s only affecting the saliva - and the ICC showed hitherto hidden powers of sense when they told the BBC: “It depends on the evidence and circumstances, so if something is brought to our attention it would be dealt with,” he said. “But where do you stop, for example, if you start to try to stop everyone who is chewing gum?”
Prezactly. This has been going on since WG Grace first wondered whether he should buy a razor. Moving on.
3 Comments »Coming Back to Me: The Autobiography of Marcus Trescothick
By Will last year, mid-August, 8 Comments »
One of the most anticipated autobiographies of the year, that of Marcus Trescothick, is released on September 1. Pre-order it now
Extracts are being serialised in the News of the World:
8 Comments »“Exhausted, emotionally vulnerable, isolated and far from home, I was ready for the taking,” he said. “For a moment I was convinced I was dying. I knew I was in serious trouble…I had to get help.”
Trescothick, who was standing in as captain in place of Michael Vaughan at the time, immediately flew home to join wife Hayley and daughter Ellie, but even that couldn’t stop his downward spiral. “Out of the blue, in front of Ellie and Hayley, I felt a massive surge of anxiety overwhelm me like a huge wave. It sucked the breath clean out of my lungs. The next 48 hours were hell.
“I started thinking seriously about doing myself harm. I knew I didn’t want to carry on living like this.”
When the problems resurfaced in Australia, Trescothick says he knew that was the end of his international career. “It was as though someone flicked a switch. I knew it was over. The tears welled up as I started to walk back to the pavilion.
“I knew I no longer had any say in the matter. The illness had come back. The thought of what I was doing hit me like a kick in the guts. I would probably never again experience the great highs, hard work, and joy of playing for England.”
Away from the international scene Trescothick has been able to rebuild his life and has enjoyed a productive season for Somerset. He was the first batsman to passed 1000 Championship runs and in the last round of matches hit a season-best 158 against Surrey.
Trescothick retires from internationals
By Will last year, at the end of March, 7 Comments »
Well, I think we all knew it was coming. I think we even hoped it would come. The misery he has endured in trying to get himself mentally stable for the pressures of international cricket hasn’t been fun to watch. Have just done the news story below, and we’re now on a gallery and timeline. Leave your thoughts, should you have any, below:
7 Comments »It cuts short his career on 76 Test matches, in which he made 5825 runs and struck 14 hundreds, including a top score of 219. He was just as valuable, if not more effective, in one-day cricket where he was able to capitalise on his natural power and timing. In 123 one-dayers, he cracked 4335 runs at 37.37 - second only to Alec Stewart as England’s leading one-day run-scorer.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time playing for England, and I am very proud of having been selected for 76 Test matches and over 120 ODIs. It has been great privilege to represent my country and I am grateful to the game of cricket for giving me the opportunity to excel at a sport that I enjoy so much.
Trescothick takes step backwards
By Will last year, mid-March, 3 Comments »
Update March 22, 2008
Trescothick retires from internationals
The news came through (or rather was beadily spotted by yours truly) at about 3am this morning that Marcus Trescothick had withdrawn from Somerset’s tour of UAE. He made it as far as the plane but it was decided, by him, that he should return home to be with his family.
It’s a desperate situation, and it now seems increasingly unlikely that he’ll ever play for England again. Such is the brilliance of the internet that when I told our man in New Zealand about the news, he broke it to England’s media man. Unsurprisingly it was brought up in the post-match press conference after the third day’s play in Wellington:
However, Paul Collingwood, speaking on behalf of the England team in New Zealand, said that Trescothick’s career should be the last thing on anyone’s mind right now. “It’s just really sad,” said Collingwood. “I think he should just forget about the cricket, to be honest. I just want Marcus to get himself right and forget about whether he is going to play for England again or to go away with Somerset.
“We just need to get him right, for his own sake really,” added Collingwood. “We can be very selfish and ask whether he will ever play for England again, but it doesn’t really matter because we need to get him right. All of our thoughts go out to him.”
Previous info on his “stress-related illness” here, here and here.
3 Comments »Notes from the pavilion
By Will 2 years ago, at the end of October, 1 Comment »
- Bikini girl Lara Bingle bowls Michael Clarke over | The Courier-Mail - Nauseous…
- The effect of Botham on Flintoff - …and the influence of Vaughan on Freddie. Simon Hughes’ column earlier this year
- ‘Tresy cried when he was given out, we had to send him back home’ - Talk about a betrayal of doctor-patient confidentiality. Fletcher’s burning every possible bridge it seems…
All change?
By Emma 2 years ago, mid-July, 1 Comment »
Earlier today, England named their 30-man provisional squad for the ICC World Twenty20. For once, it seems, the selectors have paid some attention to the nature of the format.
There are several interesting inclusions. The sight of Trescothick’s name, for one, will bring some relief to many, although there must be huge doubts over his progression to the final 15. Similarly, there are finally places for those players who have played the most Twenty20 domestically, and have proven themselves capable. After the series of washouts this year, it would have been hard to pick those necessarily most in form, but David Graveney et al seem to have elected for those players that have deployed themselves well over the past couple of seasons. Sir Viv Richard’s call for Darren Maddy, now captain of Warwickshire, has been answered, although there is no place for Nayan Doshi or Samit Patel. Among other ’specialists’ included are new Essex captain, Mark Pettini, Surrey’s one-year contracted Chris Schofield and the man of the moon ball, Jeremy Snape.
Is it all for show? There are significant figures gone from the World Cup squad: Strauss, Vaughan, Joyce, Mahmood and Dalrymple all miss out. However, there is no real sign that England intend to keep these welcome additions in their final 15. The entire one-day squad that faced the West Indies have been included, although it must be admitted that one incumbant, Stuart Broad, was the most economical seamer in last year’s domestic competition. It can only be hoped that in slimming down the squad in August, the selectors do not show this initial attempt to be a pointless exercise in media quelling.
1 Comment »Banger’s back (albeit against Devon)
By Will 2 years ago, mid-April, 3 Comments »
In spite of Nasser Hussain’s bold insistence that Australia were “under the cosh for a lot of” today’s match against England, the end result was rather predictable. England did apply themselves well for portions of the match - specifically the partnership between Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen - but that one highlight alone is not enough to beat Australia, to win the World Cup or to prove England’s one-day ethic is nothing more than hit-and-hope. In fact, poke-and-pray might be more accurate.
All is not lost. You’ve no doubt heard by now that Marcus Trescothick made his return to cricket - albeit against a Devon attack more used to serving scones than yorkers - with a brutal 256 from 117 balls. This is a good thing.
The mystery surrounding his stress-related illness is still very much just that. No one knows for sure exactly what constitutes stress, nor why it happened, nor why he was apparently unfit to attend England’s Champions Trophy yet was fit to tour Australia a few weeks later. He lasted just two weeks which, given the horror show that eventuated, was probably just as well.
I desperately hope he returns, fighting fit, scoring banger tons again. Who knows? This lay-off he has had could relaunch his career, turning him from a good England player into a great.
3 Comments »South Australia v England, Adelaide
By Will 3 years ago, mid-November, 8 Comments »
It’s the final warm-up match to Brisbane. England are Trescothickless and could do with a good run-out here to stretch their legs for next week. They ought to get it with Darren Lehmann, Shaun Tait, Dan Cullen and Mark Cosgrove among them. Their resolve will be seriously tested.
Chat away.
8 Comments »Marcus Trescothick leaves Australia
By Will 3 years ago, mid-November, 28 Comments »
Update August 18, 2008
Trescothick’s autobiography due for publication September 1.
Update March 22, 2008
Trescothick retires from internationals
One, twice, three times a…no that’s unfair. So Marcus Trescothick has gone - but is it really that much of a surprise? Sky Sports were almost grinning from ear to ear at breaking the news, before calling on the usual suspects - Willis, Botham, Hussain, Lloyd and each of their dogs - for expert opinion.
When he left India in February, there was a hushed silence. No one knew what to think (there were plenty of rumours) and little was said. I didn’t care what the reason was, and felt the silence was a mark of respect. But the way the ECB have handled today’s news, my patience has run out. It’s a sad situation for Marcus but we now need to know exactly what the deal is; will he return or won’t he? Will he play for Somerset again? Will he ever make a hundred against Australia? Unlikely. What is the problem, and why the hell was he allowed on the plane to Australia in the first place? This is less about Trescothick and more about England’s reliance on the tried and tested - the rusty, as Tim de Lisle said yesterday - however frail they might be.
That’s it for Banger, though, I fear. But England have got to move on, as they did with partial success in India, and draw a line under this until the end of the tour.
28 Comments »Trescothick’s dedication
By Will 3 years ago, at the end of September, 4 Comments »
Patrick, he of Times fame, has a really interesting interview with Howard Clayton, the “official” England Under-19 scorer who has seen the likes of Darren Gough, Michael Vaughan, Alastair Cook and Marcus Trescothick early in their cricketing careers. This struck out, though:
Who knows which members of the present team will become Test stars? Sometimes it is not always the cockiest who succeed. Clayton was struck by the attitude of a teenaged Trescothick, who in 1994 was teased by his team-mates for wearing his England cap and blazer after matches had finished. “He told them: ‘It might be the closest I get to playing for England,’ ” Clayton said. If only other players showed such pride and dedication.
Trescothick has always intrigued me. He arrived to Test cricket clearly mentally suited to the demands, if not technically astute; his near-total lack of feet movement early on looked awkward and horrible. He’s made a fine career in spite of these failings, and from very early on was part of Nasser Hussain and Duncan Fletcher’s team meetings, suggesting a wise head on then-young shoulders. But it was when he spoke of his hatred of bullying in the dressing room - and a need, he felt, of equality - which made me sit up and notice. He’s a quiet bloke, undemonstrative and doesn’t enjoy the spotlight; happier in Taunton than Trinidad.
Let’s not forget (not that we are) what a fine record he has: 5825 runs at 43.79, 14 hundreds and 29 fifties. That’s decent, for an opening bat.
4 Comments »It had to happen some day
By Emma 3 years ago, mid-September, 1 Comment »
This game was hardly a thriller, but it was a win. England can take positives from this match on to Edgbaston, as well as a much-needed dose of confidence.
It seems fair to say that the game was won in the field. In fact, if it were not for the 47 runs scored in Pakistan’s last twelve balls, courtesy of some fantastic play from Abdul Razzaq, England would have wrapped up the game around about the 40th over of their reply. Pakistan’s bowling performance showed signs of the problems that have been hounding the hosts all summer – tiredness and inaccuracy. Whilst England batted well, Ian Bell in particular, only Asif and Hafeez really troubled in what was a comfortable run chase.
England bowled well for the majority of their 50 overs. Whilst I’m happy to give credit, especially to debutant Michael Yardy, I do hope Strauss starts to think his bowling changes at the death through a little more for Edgbaston. There seemed little sense in cutting Dalrymple off after 9 overs, or in taking off Broad after his over took a wicket for only a single. Nevertheless, for the moment, I’m going to celebrate a one-day game mostly memorable in its result – England’s first win in a series that wasn’t already dead since last year - and in the fact Trescothick was dropped for the first time in his England career.
1 Comment »Live discussion: England v Pakistan, 4th ODI, Trent Bridge
By Will 3 years ago, mid-September, 8 Comments »
In an unsettling development, England nearly competed on an even keel in the third ODI against Pakistan at The Rose Bowl. They nearly took them to the wire, too. Today is the fourth of the five-match series and yet again England are faced with a selection headache. Marcus Trescothick’s withdrawal from the Champions Trophy means he could miss today’s match, too, as Andrew Strauss alluded to. And surely one of Sajid Mahmood or Rikki Clarke will be dropped in place of Graham Onions; at least, we hope so.
Weather is set fine, so we should have a full day’s play – although, inevitably, the dew and moisture of Britain’s late summer will affect conditions under the lights. I’ll be on ball-by-ball, so keep an eye on Cricinfo and leave your comments below of the day’s events.
Cricinfo live scorecard and ball-by-ball details.
8 Comments »And coming out to open?
By Emma 3 years ago, at the start of September, 4 Comments »
So who exactly will be opening the batting tomorrow? It seems as if Trescothick is not expected to, though I have not seen any mention of his being removed from the squad. There are also murmurs that Pietersen might be promoted to open. David Lloyd has been consistent in his belief that England don’t, and should, make more of the early powerplays. Could Pietersen do the trick? I’m not convinced. But I think Ian Bell should open, so what do I know.
Thoughts, anyone?
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