Trescothick has booked his spot

David Lloyd13 April 2012

Two years ago today Marcus Trescothick was only a name in England's notebook. Now it is hard to imagine how they ever managed without him at the top of their batting order.

Trescothick missed out on a man of the match award at Headingley yesterday, despite again giving his country the perfect start to a thrillingly successful run chase against Sri Lanka in the NatWest triangular tournament.

But every England colleague fully appreciated the importance of the opener's innings - 82 from just 60 balls - in setting up a three-wicket win.

"Tres just seems to go about his business with such ease at the moment," said captain Nasser Hussain. "He is taking his game to a very special level and long may it continue."

And Alec Stewart, who topped off England's pursuit of 241 in 32 overs by making an invaluable unbeaten 38, added: " Marcus's innings at Headingley was fantastic, but he's been doing that regularly for us.

"He took to international cricket two years ago as well as anyone I've seen and you could tell straight away he was not out of place."

In fact, although Trescothick had been earmarked for promotion by the selectors, it took injuries to Hussain and Nick Knight to create a vacancy for him in the 2000 NatWest Series.

He began by making 79 against Zimbabwe at The Oval and has not missed a one-day international or a Test match since.

In the longer game, the Somerset left-hander has built up a rock solid average of 42 after 25 appearances. In the limited-overs stuff, where more chances have to be taken, he already has two centuries plus eight other scores of 50 or more from 40 innings.

"I feel I'm playing pretty well and probably making the most of my form," said Trescothick. "That's the key - cashing in when you hit good form."

Perhaps even more encouraging than the statistics, however, is the fact that the 26-year-old has already experienced a rough patch, and come through it.

Asked to keep wicket when England wanted to lengthen their batting line-up, Trescothick made just 47 runs - with four single figure dismissals - in five one-day internationals against New Zealand in February.

Those failures tested his character but he has emerged apparently stronger than ever.

The same might be said of 39-year-old Stewart following his winter out of England colours. Having been recalled at the start of the summer because of James Foster's broken arm, he once again looks the batsmankeeper for all occasions.

Home supporters were mighty pleased to see him - rather than any novice 'keeper or would-be all-rounder - walking out at No 8 yesterday when England were six down with 70 runs still needed from 64 balls.

Stewart had spoken about the challenge of learning new techniques for batting low down the order and he showed he had mastered at least some of them during a match-winning stand with Paul Collingwood.

There were some classic drives, of course, but also several crafty little nudges into unprotected areas of the outfield.

Sri Lanka's 240 for seven, built around Sanath Jayasuriya's brilliant 112, had looked untouchable. Instead, England bettered it with four balls to spare.

Hussain knows, however, that tomorrow's opponents at Chester-le Street cannot be given as much latitude. "We will have to bowl and field better against India than we did at Headingley," he said.

"If someone like Sachin Tendulkar gives you half a chance then it must be taken."

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