Trescothick given time in the middle to refocus

Marcus Trescothick will be available to play for Somerset throughout the first weeks of the season, as he seeks to put his winter problems behind him and regain his England place ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka on May 11.

Trescothick took his place in Somerset's line-up for their opening County Championship fixture at Bristol today, after flying home from the India tour in mysterious circumstances last month. He has been given permission by England's coach, Duncan Fletcher, to play in the C&G Trophy clash at Canterbury next week, and the next two four-day matches against Worcestershire and Northants.

Of his England colleagues, the majority are being rested at least until the start of May. Ian Bell, Matthew Hoggard, Geraint Jones, Andrew Strauss and James Anderson will be given one first-class fixture, from May 3 to 7, to find their early-season rhythm, while Andrew Flintoff, Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood, who have been ever-present in England's winter, will be limited to C&G Trophy outings only.

Monty Panesar, Alastair Cook and Shaun Udal are available from the start of the season, while the rest of the tourists will be given a break at least until April 23 in the case of the one-day specialists, and May 1 for those who toured with the Test team as well, but played only minor roles.

As for England's injured quartet of Michael Vaughan, Simon Jones, Steve Harmison and Ashley Giles, their availabilities will be subject to fitness, with Jones set to make his comeback for Glamorgan against Cardiff UCCE at Sophia Gardens tomorrow.