Somerset captain Marcus Trescothick backs Nick Compton to bounce back
Marcus Trescothick has branded England's decision to drop Somerset team-mate Nick Compton as 'harsh'.
Last Updated: 25/06/13 4:39pm
Compton's Ashes dream appears over for this summer after Joe Root was named alongside Alastair Cook at the top of the order for the forthcoming warm-up match against Essex - national selector Geoff Miller describing the Yorkshireman as "currently the best opening partner" for the England captain.
Naturally Trescothick, who played 76 Test matches for England between 2000 and 2006, has sympathy for his Somerset team-mate, and has urged him to remind the selectors of his credentials with big runs in this week's tour match with the Australians at Taunton.
Speaking on England's decision to overlook Compton against Essex, Trescothick said: "I thought it was quite harsh on him. I thought he'd done OK. It was only three Test matches ago that he got back-to-back hundreds in New Zealand and obviously it will be tough to take.
"It's never nice being in that position where you're dropped but we play Australia this week in a four-day game so hopefully he can come back and do well in that. That's what he's got to do because you never know when someone will break a finger.
"There's still a big winter ahead in Australia so you've got to step up and do something. If you continue to do that and keep your name within the fold you never know."
Trescothick knows what it takes to win an Ashes series having conquered the Old Enemy back in 2005.
He is now preparing to face the tourists again, albeit for Somerset, in what will be Darren Lehmann's first assignment as Australia coach.
Asked about Lehmann's appointment so close to the Ashes, Trescothick said: "'Different' is probably the word I'd use. To change something so close to the series is different to what we're used to but it could gel them together.
"We need to be careful though. England will start as favourites so let's hope they deliver the goods like they have in recent times."
Marcus Trescothick and Shaun Tait were speaking at the launch of the 2013 Friends Life t20 competition. For more information and to buy match tickets please visit ecb.co.uk/FLt20. #FLt20
