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Marcus Trescothick announces end to international career

22/03/2008

England opener Marcus Trescothick has announced he is to retire from international cricket due to an ongoing illness.

The 32-year-old suffers from a stress-related illness which has hampered his abilities to play overseas, most recently causing him to pull out of Somerset's pre-season tour to Dubai when the squad arrived at London's Heathrow Airport.

Citing a desire to allow the national side to build for the future, the opener has confirmed his retirement from the international game.

He said: "I have tried on numerous occasions to make it back to the international stage and it has proved a lot more difficult than I expected.

"I want to extend my playing career for as long as possible and I no longer want to put myself through the questions and demands that go with trying to return to the England team."

Trescothick, who has not been involved in an overseas tour since withdrawing from the England squad prior to the Ashes in late 2006, said he was proud to have played for his country in 76 Tests and more than 120 one-day internationals.

But he said he believed it is "in the best interests of all concerned that the issue is put to rest so the England team can concentrate on moving forward."

The Keynsham-born cricketer made his one-day debut against Zimbabwe in July 2000 before hitting 66 against West Indies on his Test debut in August of that year.

He scored 5,825 runs for England and averaged 43.79.

Hugh Morris, the managing director of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), thanked Trescothick for "the enormous contribution he has made to the England team in both Test and One Day International cricket".

"I fully respect and understand his decision to retire from international cricket and wish him every success in his future career with Somerset," he added.