Nightmare for England as dream curbs Tresco return
MARCUS TRESCOTHICK last night explained how a traumatic dream was to blame for his decision against making a sensational England comeback in the fifth Ashes Test next week.
The in-form Somerset opener battled stress and anxiety during his glittering international career but was being tipped for a recall for the series decider, which England must win to regain the Ashes from Australia.
Earlier this week, Trescothick said he would consider making a one-off return if asked, but yesterday told how an early-morning nightmare convinced him to stand by his decision to stay away from the international scene. “It has been very flattering to see my name mentioned in so many circles since Australia’s crushing win at Headingley and I’d be a liar if I said the prospect of playing at The Oval hadn’t occupied my mind a lot,” said the 33-year-old, who starred in England’s Ashes success of 2005.
“In fact, that has been the case to such an extent that the other day I woke up at 6.30am from a terrible dream. There is a nightmare a lot of cricketers experience that they can’t get their pads on when they are due in to bat. My dream was a variation of that. I couldn’t get my England kit out of my bag. The other players were waiting for me on the pitch to do a team photo so I was in a right panic. I woke up in a cold sweat.
“Perhaps that told me something. It gives me a massive kick that I am still thought good enough to come back and play at international level, but I’ve gone too far down the line in battling my stress problems to change my mind about now ending my England career.”
While Trescothick ruled himself out of The Oval showdown, starting next Thursday, several other contenders were throwing their names into the ring.
Surrey veteran Mark Ramprakash, 39, reiterated his desire to play in a first Test match in seven years again yesterday, while Warwickshire duo Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott both made their presence felt with a feast of runs against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.
Bell smashed 92no and Trott 121 as the England contenders put on a mighty third-wicket stand of 188.