Cow Corner Blog

Mad Fish finally freed

Fri Oct 16 06:22PM

The news of Marcus Trescothick's return home after suffering a recurrence of his stress-related illness in India was as predictable as it was tragic.

With disarming honesty in assessing his performances, Trescothick judged that he was 'firing at just 60 to 70 per cent'. Jesse Ryder's personal analysis has often seen him playing in the same ball park in terms of figures, but his illness has usually been merely that of a violent and repetitive yeast infection.

In a typically insightful and revealing 60 seconds with Marcus, Cowers was treated to an explanation as to why the hefty opener is nicknamed 'Mad Fish' in the dressing room.

While a propensity to dropping dead kippers in team mates' beds is very much confined to wicket-keeper Craig Kieswetter, Tresco's less than affectionate tag comes from the film Snatch.

Those who got past the fact that Guy Ritchie was not only behind the camera but had also put pen to paper on the script would recall a film of unscrupulous boxing promoters, violent bookmakers and Russian gangsters.

That is not the kind of behaviour which you would associate with the mild-mannered Trescothick, nor even Mohammad Asif, Arjuna Ranatunga or Ryder.

The nickname is in reference to the self-destructive character named Mad Fish who, in Marcus's words, goes mad and ends up shooting himself.  This, he suggests, is a direct comparison to his unfortunate implosion from international cricket.

One thing that struck Cowers when meeting the man who reflects on each shot primarily in terms of its yardage, is his laid-back demeanour and ability to laugh at himself unlike, say, Peter Siddle.

Many writers adopt a sanctimonious tone when writing of Trescothick's illness, but the man himself does not wish for any sympathy.

The 33-year-old's illness first occurred during England's tour of India in February 2006, then reoccurred at the start of the Ashes campaign in Australia in November and, after the possibility of him commuting from Dubai was dashed on logistical grounds, his extended presence was always in doubt.

The very fact that Trescothick made it on the plane was not a step to be sniffed at, and Somerset's director of cricket Brian Rose did his best impersonation of a beleaguered football manager to recognise that fact.

"Marcus has made a great effort to travel to India," he told the club's website. "We appreciate his effort but he was unable to give 100 per cent."

Rose was well placed to describe Trescothick's presence on the plane to India because he took the aisle seat as a sympathetic third wheel.

"Actually I accompanied Marcus and Hayley on the plane and he was absolutely fine," Rose said. But, as the great singer Simon Webbe once said, 'riding the storm is all but the beginning'.

Vikram Solanki, the man England used to rely on for breezy, bottom-handed 20s, is now the chairman of the Professional Cricketers' Association, and he described Trescothick in uncompromising terms.

Solanki left nothing unsaid as he gushed over the 'wonderful' batsman, and even promised like an obscure cable channel that, "there is always someone on the end of the phone".

Trescothick compiled meagre scores of 14 and three in Somerset's group matches against the Deccan chargers and Trinidad and Tobago, but his leadership was lacking in the West Country side's defeat to the Diamond Eagles.

The burly left-hander will lead the side next summer after being appointed as Justin Langer's successor, and now finally the PCA Player of the Year can focus on matters other than his inner turmoil.

"Perhaps we now know it is a black-and-white situation when it comes to Marcus playing abroad," concluded Rose. Considering that the last time he attempted to go overseas he broke down at Heathrow airport before Somerset's pre-season tour of the Middle East in 2008, this should surely not be such a shock.

There is no doubt that Tresco was sorely missed around the Somerset side as they lost their battle for a semi-final place against the Eagles, but his mind will now be on other things.

After yet another spell under the beady eye of the world's media, Trescothick can finally grab a pint of Blackthorn, a full-English from Shirley's Cafe and watch the rest of the highly-lucrative slogothon on Eurosport HD.

Cape Cobras v Victoria LIVE at 11:15am on Saturday on British Eurosport 2 (Sky 411 / Virgin Media 525); Also available on your PC via the Eurosport Player - click on the link under the picture to subscribe

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