Marcus Trescothick to join England coaching staff for first two Ashes Tests

Former opening batsman Marcus Trescothick will be a part of England's coaching staff during the first two Tests of the Ashes series against Australia starting August 1. The 43-year-old Trescothick will be overseeing England's training sessions for the first two games scheduled to be held in Edgbaston and Lord's respectively, media reports stated here.

The former opener played 76 Tests for England and is best remembered for being the second highest run-getter at the 2005 Ashes series behind Kevin Pietersen. He was named a wisden cricketer of the year that same year. Trescothick has been roped in to assist England's chief batting coach Graham Thorpe, who is nursing a sore shoulder and missed the team training on Tuesday due to illness.

Meanwhile, James Anderson has been ruled out of England’s four-day Test against Ireland at Lord’s starting on Wednesday but World Cup star Jason Roy will make his debut.

Opening bowler Anderson has failed to recover from the right calf injury he sustained when playing for his county Lancashire against Durham on July 2. “Jimmy will continue to be assessed” ahead of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston on August 1, an England and Wales Cricket Board statement said on Tuesday.

Chief selector Ed Smith stated when naming the squad last week that England’s record wicket-taker would not be risked ahead of the Ashes series if there were any lingering doubts over his injury. Bowling resources have already been stretched by side strains sustained by Mark Wood and Jofra Archer in the recent World Cup victory over New Zealand.

Warwickshire paceman Olly Stone will make his Test debut in Anderson’s absence, with World Cup-winning batsman Roy also playing his first Test after featuring in 84 one-day internationals.

(With Inputs: PTI)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Marcus Trescothick recently retired from county cricket.
• James Anderson set to miss the Test against Ireland. 
• Jason Roy to feature in eleven in Ireland Test.