CRICKET: Trescothick eyes a return to action (From Somerset County Gazette)

CRICKET: Trescothick eyes a return to action

7:00am Thursday 28th June 2012 in Sport Latest

MARCUS Trescothick is back in the nets again and could play for Somerset in weeks rather than months.

This means the former England opener, who has been out of the Somerset side since undergoing surgery on his ankle in mid-April, could be in the frame for the latter stages of this season’s FLt20.

“In the last week to ten days my ankle has come on well,” he said.

“I’m working very hard on my rehab programme and had a bat for the first time on Tuesday.

“I start running at the end of this week, so I’ll be preparing as much as I can for my comeback, which will involve a lot of batting practice to get it up to the standard to play in a game, and that will be the hardest bit which will come back last I expect.”

“We’re looking at the middle to end of July that I’ll be able to play a club match or second team game, which is our target.”

With the Cidermen currently going well in the FLt20 they could make it to the finals at Swalec Stadium in Cardiff on August 25.

“I hope to be back by then, so if I’m fit enough and in good enough nick of course I’d love to be playing,” said Trescothick.

“However, we have to do a lot of hard work before then against the opposition to get there.”

Trescothick has also signed to play for Bridgwater in WEPL Premier One as part of his comeback plans if need be.

On the FLt20, he said: “We’re going well at the moment even though we’ve had several international players missing – the two South Africans have been away and the Irish lads have disappeared for a game, but we’ve mixed in really well.

“The T20 is the sort of competition where an individual performance can win you the game and in each game we’ve had someone who has stood up, but we’ve still got to keep our eye on the ball and make sure we’re maintaining the levels we’re reaching at the moment.”

Somerset host their last two group matches this weekend.

Friday’s derby match against Gloucestershire, starting at 5.30pm, is set to be a sell-out, and they host Worcestershire on Sunday at 2.30pm – tickets are still available on 0845-3371875 or at www.somersetcountycc.co.uk