Saturday, June 16, 2007

Trescothick comeback played down

England chairman of selectors David Graveney has played down talk of an immediate recall for Marcus Trescothick after the Tests against West Indies.

Despite England's series win, the poor form of Andrew Strauss and the upcoming one-day internationals have prompted many to call for Trescothick's return.

The opener missed most of the winter because of a stress-related illness, but has been in fine form of late.

But Graveney told BBC Sport: "There is no point running before you can walk."

He added: "He is up there as one of the most attacking one-day players in the world.

"But we are just monitoring the situation at the moment - I refuse to keep pestering him with the same question.

"I'm talking to the coaching staff, him from time to time about subjects other than cricket, and we've left it in a situation where he will contact us when he's ready.

"It's great he's back playing and doing as well as he has been, let's see what happens now."


There are areas we have to discuss re: touring, but we have not addressed that at all yet

David Graveney


But Graveney admitted Trescothick could yet play again for England this year, despite the Somerset opener not representing his country since August 2006.

He pulled out of tours to India and Australia last year, but Graveney conceded England's short tour to Sri Lanka followed by the Twenty20 World Cup and one-day series might not be too onerous.

"First and foremost, that subject has not been broached with Marcus," he told BBC Sport cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew.

"There are areas we have to discuss re: touring, but we have not addressed that at all yet.

"However, I know where people are coming from, I'm not sticking my head in the sand. The tour to Sri Lanka is actually a short compact trip. But does it fit the bill? Those questions have not been asked."

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