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Constant cricket demanding: Gilchrist

Source: smh.com.au - November 15, 2006

Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist says he sympathises with the plight of England opener Marcus Trescothick, and has said the pressures of constant cricket can play tricks on the mind.

Trescothick arrived back in England after dramatically leaving the Ashes tour on Tuesday following a near breakdown in the SCG rooms during the tour match against New South Wales.

England coach Duncan Fletcher said Trescothick had suffered a recurrence of the stress-related illness that forced him home from India earlier this year.

Gilchrist, who has had probably one of the most demanding schedules of any cricketer in the past 10 years, said if Trescothick was not well enough to play, he had been right to return to England.

"If Marcus wasn't right to play then the best place for him is to be at home," Gilchrist said.

"I feel sorry he is in that difficult scenario.

"It is a demanding lifestyle, particularly as an individual, and then you throw in family and there is children, that makes it more difficult for partners to travel.

"There is all those issues to look at, there is a lot of sacrifices that need to be made.

"On top of all that there is the pressure and the scrutiny, intense scrutiny you come under every time you present yourself out on the field in front of millions and millions of people.

"It can start to play tricks on your mind, or your mind can start to wander.

"I certainly understand from that perspective that someone could find themselves in a difficult situation."

Reports in England say a combination of factors - burn-out, stress, guilt and depression - had led to Trescothick being unable to cope with the rigours of touring.

Gilchrist said although he had never reached a point in his career where he felt like abandoning a tour, the turbulent emotions were a challenge to deal with.

But he said a stable home environment had helped him deal with low points.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting also expressed sympathy for Trescothick after his shock exit from the Ashes series.

Ponting found out about Trescothick's return to England while watching television.

"We all know about the illness and know it's out there - you see lots of golfers and different sportspeople around the world suffering from those sorts of things," Ponting said.

"But it's something new to us (in cricket), all we can do is wish him well.

"If it's an illness that's going to keep him out of such a big series as this, it's obviously pretty significant.

"Hopefully he can get back out on the park sooner rather than later."

Ponting added there was "no doubt" England would miss Trescothick's experience and batting talent in the upcoming Ashes series.

He said Alastair Cook would now probably open and expects Paul Collingwood to come into the Test side.

Victorian captain Cameron White led Trescothick at county side Somerset this year and had only spoken to him a few days ago.

"He told me he was going fine, so it was a bit of a shock to read that in the paper this morning," White said.

"He's a great guy, I feel for him ... you don't wish that upon anyone."