EastStandBlue
Life President
The news that Marcus Trescothick failed to overcome his demons to compete properly in the Champions League Twenty20 Trophy is desperately sad, but all the more tragic is how predictable this was.
Trescothick is essential to any hopes of success Somerset harboured this Summer and went to great lengths in order to maintain his stability throughout the tour, with some circles suggesting that it was being fielded as a "holiday" for his family and they'd never be more than a short journey away. The unfortunate thing is, the mental illnesses that have plagued Trescothick throughout his career fail to recognise holiday's.
When he was first struck down by "stress-related illnesses" in 2006, he was the joke of the cricketing community. Amid stories breaking out of him breaking down in his Indian hotel room, people doubted if he truely had what it takes to make it on an international scene... Whether he had the grit and determination to persevere. A resurgence in his form led to his call-up to the 06-07 Ashes squad given the task to retain the urn in Australia, a tour that he lasted just two matches of before returning home citing a recurrence of the stress related illness.
Again, Trescothick was mocked because, you know, that's just what mental illnesses need, to be mocked publicly. While the red-top-rumours gathered pace, Trescothick recieved support by England legend Geoffrey Boycott, who placed blame on the extremely congested ICC schedule which led to many cricketers suffering what was becoming common-place in professional football: Burnout. Too many games in too short a time.
In his autobiography, Trescothick goes to great lengths in order to discuss and explain his mental instability, how fragile his state became at times and just how desperate a situation he found himself in at times. It might not be the most enthralling of reads, but it's a fascinating insight into the mind of a sportsman at his weakest. Confidence is a fine thing in sport, but what happens when you fail to belief in yourself?
It may be ground hog day for Trescothick, falling again to the same plight, but I hope for his own sake and wellbeing that the watching press learn from previous occasions and give him the space he needs.
Trescothick is essential to any hopes of success Somerset harboured this Summer and went to great lengths in order to maintain his stability throughout the tour, with some circles suggesting that it was being fielded as a "holiday" for his family and they'd never be more than a short journey away. The unfortunate thing is, the mental illnesses that have plagued Trescothick throughout his career fail to recognise holiday's.
When he was first struck down by "stress-related illnesses" in 2006, he was the joke of the cricketing community. Amid stories breaking out of him breaking down in his Indian hotel room, people doubted if he truely had what it takes to make it on an international scene... Whether he had the grit and determination to persevere. A resurgence in his form led to his call-up to the 06-07 Ashes squad given the task to retain the urn in Australia, a tour that he lasted just two matches of before returning home citing a recurrence of the stress related illness.
Again, Trescothick was mocked because, you know, that's just what mental illnesses need, to be mocked publicly. While the red-top-rumours gathered pace, Trescothick recieved support by England legend Geoffrey Boycott, who placed blame on the extremely congested ICC schedule which led to many cricketers suffering what was becoming common-place in professional football: Burnout. Too many games in too short a time.
In his autobiography, Trescothick goes to great lengths in order to discuss and explain his mental instability, how fragile his state became at times and just how desperate a situation he found himself in at times. It might not be the most enthralling of reads, but it's a fascinating insight into the mind of a sportsman at his weakest. Confidence is a fine thing in sport, but what happens when you fail to belief in yourself?
It may be ground hog day for Trescothick, falling again to the same plight, but I hope for his own sake and wellbeing that the watching press learn from previous occasions and give him the space he needs.
