Marcus Trescothick, the former England batter, has expressed his ambition to take on the role of England head coach permanently after successfully managing his mental health issues.
The 48-year-old is currently the interim head coach for England’s men’s white-ball team during their tour in the West Indies, before Brendon McCullum assumes full responsibility in January.
Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, Trescothick confirmed his aspirations: “Previously I thought I wanted to be a head coach, but taking the reins for the two series against Australia and here versus the West Indies has confirmed to me that I would like the opportunity to do it at some point. I’d love to have an opportunity, when the time comes.”
His playing career was prematurely ended at 30 due to severe anxiety, particularly when travelling. Since then, he has become an advocate for mental health awareness among athletes and was honoured with an OBE in April for his contributions to mental health services.
On his progress, Trescothick explained: “You find methods of understanding and then coping, and then gradually working more and more with therapists I have been able to get to a point where I have been able to say, ‘OK, we’ve done that trip, what’s the stepping stone to doing the next one, and then that one and the one after that?’”
He acknowledged that his post-playing career would involve travel, which is integral to the kind of coach he aspires to be.
England’s managing director of cricket, Rob Key, has laid out plans to have a homegrown coach leading the men’s senior teams, according to his interview with the Sunday Times.
Key expressed: “We are trying to revamp coach development. In English sports, because of a lack of options, you go for the best coach and often that is an overseas coach. We want it to be an English coach.”
He went on to praise current coaching schemes, mentioning: “Actually Baz (McCullum) is the greatest form of coach education because Marcus Trescothick, (England spin bowling coach) Jeetan Patel and (England coach) Paul Collingwood have developed more by working with him than through any coaching course.”
Key also reflected on the contributions of James Anderson to the team’s coaching setup and remains optimistic about Jofra Archer’s future following his return to action in the Caribbean.
On Archer, he remarked: “He’s got the potential to be one of our best ever bowlers and until someone from the medical team tells me otherwise that’s what you strive for.”
Additionally, he shared good news regarding Archer’s recovery: “He’s not had a setback in six months. We’re all happy. Everything is going exactly to plan for Jofra.”
With hopes high, Key also speculated on Archer’s Test prospects: “Can he play Tests next summer? With all my fingers crossed, yes.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk