Marcus bats in the nets at Taunton this morning

Marcus Trescothick had his first batting practice in the nets at the County Ground in Taunton this morning before the start of the third day's play against Warwickshire.

At the end of the net session during which he faced the Somerset coach Kevin Shine bowling with a hard ball, a decision was made that Marcus will not be playing for a Somerset XI against England Under-19s at Seaton Cricket Club on Sunday.

Kevin Shine told me: "Whilst he was batting he still felt a slight jarring in his thumb when he hit the ball, so he will not risk playing on Sunday."

The coach continued: "He has a hospital appointment on Monday, and assuming that everything is all right he will travel up to Blackpool for the championship match on Tuesday against Lancashire. Marcus will have nets with us at the ground and he may play, but no decision will be made until the morning of the match."

Those who had been hoping to see the England star at Seaton CC on Sunday will not, however, be disappointed as Marcus will be putting in a special guest appearance at the ground during the lunch interval to sign autographs.