Trescothick Suffers Groundhog Day Again

[EastStandBlue]

The news that Marcus Trescothick failed to overcome his demons to compete properly in the Champions League Twenty20 Trophy is desperately sad, but all the more tragic is how predictable this was.

Trescothick is essential to any hopes of success Somerset harboured this Summer and went to great lengths in order to maintain his stability throughout the tour, with some circles suggesting that it was being fielded as a "holiday" for his family and they'd never be more than a short journey away. The unfortunate thing is, the mental illnesses that have plagued Trescothick throughout his career fail to recognise holiday's.

When he was first struck down by "stress-related illnesses" in 2006, he was the joke of the cricketing community. Amid stories breaking out of him breaking down in his Indian hotel room, people doubted if he truely had what it takes to make it on an international scene... Whether he had the grit and determination to persevere. A resurgence in his form led to his call-up to the 06-07 Ashes squad given the task to retain the urn in Australia, a tour that he lasted just two matches of before returning home citing a recurrence of the stress related illness.

Again, Trescothick was mocked because, you know, that's just what mental illnesses need, to be mocked publicly. While the red-top-rumours gathered pace, Trescothick recieved support by England legend Geoffrey Boycott, who placed blame on the extremely congested ICC schedule which led to many cricketers suffering what was becoming common-place in professional football: Burnout. Too many games in too short a time.

In his autobiography, Trescothick goes to great lengths in order to discuss and explain his mental instability, how fragile his state became at times and just how desperate a situation he found himself in at times. It might not be the most enthralling of reads, but it's a fascinating insight into the mind of a sportsman at his weakest. Confidence is a fine thing in sport, but what happens when you fail to belief in yourself?

It may be ground hog day for Trescothick, falling again to the same plight, but I hope for his own sake and wellbeing that the watching press learn from previous occasions and give him the space he needs.

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

but I hope for his own sake and wellbeing that the watching press learn from previous occasions and give him the space he needs.

I think they will - not least because the current reoccurrence of his illness doesn't really matter in a sporting sense... or at least it only matters if you're a Somerset fan, which is a fairly small fanbase all told.

Most of us - the press included - would rather see a much-admired former Test opener happy, relaxed, in a state of mental equilibrium, and enjoying the rest of his career in County Cricket.

Matt

 

[canveyshrimper]

I agree with you Matt, and I truly hope that he can lead Somerset to a trophy next year, preferably not at the expense of Essex of course.

While I am not suggesting that Trescothick is suicidal, cricket as a sport seems to attract more than its fair share of players who commit suicide, most recent examples I can think of are David Bairstow & Mark Saxelby.

 

[EastStandBlue]

Cricket, by it's nature, takes a huge psychological toll on a person. What other sport requires limitless concentration for 9 or so hours a day and, when batting, split second dliberation as to which shot to play and where to play it.

On top of this, there's no other sport where an "away fixture" sees you flung to the other side of the world for months at a time. Away from family and familiarity for such an amount of time, it takes a special kind of character to withstand something like that.

 

[canveyshrimper]

Cricket, by it's nature, takes a huge psychological toll on a person. What other sport requires limitless concentration for 9 or so hours a day and, when batting, split second dliberation as to which shot to play and where to play it.

On top of this, there's no other sport where an "away fixture" sees you flung to the other side of the world for months at a time. Away from family and familiarity for such an amount of time, it takes a special kind of character to withstand something like that.

That's very true. Even as far back as 1962/63 England tours to Australia & New Zealand would start with a 5/6 week trip by sea, often stopping off in Colombo for a couple of matches. They would land at Fremantle, play first class matches against all the state sides, plus 5 test matches against the convicts, before playing 3 more in New Zealand before flying home for the first class season in England.

In those days WAG's weren't allowed. These days tours have become so truncated that when England play the next series in Australia in 2010/11 they will play all 5 test matches within 35 days.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Cricket, by it's nature, takes a huge psychological toll on a person. What other sport requires limitless concentration for 9 or so hours a day and, when batting, split second dliberation as to which shot to play and where to play it.

On top of this, there's no other sport where an "away fixture" sees you flung to the other side of the world for months at a time. Away from family and familiarity for such an amount of time, it takes a special kind of character to withstand something like that.

Cricket is also an intriguing mix of an individual and team sport. It is you, the batsman, up against 11 fielders. What other sport leaves you so outnumbered? Yet you are not just playing for yourself, but also for your team-mates, which is an added burden especially when you are that team's main man.

 

[Uncle Leo]

What other sport leaves you so outnumbered?

British Bulldog.