Questions still surround Trescothick

The pressure of touring: Marcus Trescothick in Karachi © Getty Images

Even though the England opener Marcus Trescothick has ended weeks of speculation, by telling Sky Sports News that he returned home from the tour of India because he had been laid low by a viral infection, there is still plenty of interest surrounding the issue.

During Somerset's media day at Taunton he did not speak to the press, as he was shadowed by Colin Gibson, the head of the ECB's communication department. Even in his TV interview he did not give any more specifics about the illness, but said that personal factors and spending time away from his family had also been partially responsible for his decision.

"The main reason was that I picked up a bug when I was out there," Trescothick told the news channel. "The second part of Bombay really hit me hard; I wasn't sleeping and couldn't shake it off. We moved to Baroda, and it didn't get any better; I wasn't eating or drinking, and it really took its toll."

At the time all that the England camp would say was that he had left the tour for personal reasons and it asked the media to respect his privacy, which it has done.

Trescothick admitted that the endless toll of touring and playing had taken its toll. "We play so much; we spend 300 nights a year out of our own house either travelling the world or at hotels preparing for games in England. Touring Pakistan and India are probably the hardest you can do, because it is not easy to take your family away to that part of the world. You spend a long time away from home."

The Somerset chief executive, Richard Gould, told the Daily Telegraph: "I'm sure the press have found it frustrating, but the most important thing is that we get Marcus in the best frame of mind for the new season.

"The fact he was forced to return home was a combination of things - stress, the virus and being away from his family for long periods of time. I was taken by surprise by the degree of scepticism that has been shown about his explanation."

Richard Bevan, the chief executive of The Professional Cricketers Association, has also offered sympathy for players like Trescothick who are so stretched physically and mentally by a punishing international schedule. Trescothick admitted six years of continuous cricket with England had been taking its toll.

"We have to find a balance and a bit more common sense," said Bevan. "You don't want the game brought into disrepute. The ICC are certainly sympathetic. The chief executive stated in his annual report ... that the demands on international cricketers are enormous.

"What the ICC have to do is develop clearer and longer-term plans. They have to improve communications with the stakeholders. We want them to get younger players on the board. They will have different ideas on international cricket and player burn-out. They need to forge stronger links with the international players' association (FICA)."

Last week it was revealed that Trescothick was back training with Somerset, although he admitted that he was still suffering from the virus until about three weeks ago.

To read Trescothick's interview with Sky Sports News click here.