Trescothick on his way home

England has been dealt a huge blow tonight, ahead of the opening ashes test at the Gabba in nine days time with the England and Wales cricket board announcing that England opening batsmen Marcus Trescothick, has suffered a reoccurrence of a stress related illness and has been sent home to recover.

Trescothick prematurely left England's tour of India in March when he was first diagnosed with a stress-related illness, and he then missed his country's Champions Trophy campaign, also in India, last month to spend time with his family.

Trescothick, 32, flew out of Sydney about 10pm (AEDT). After a bad year personally for Trescothick he met with team management and the decision was made for him to head home.

"Following discussions between Marcus and the England medical staff, it was decided that Marcus should fly home at the earliest opportunity," Duncan Fletcher, England’s coach said.

"We are naturally disappointed to lose a player of his quality from our Ashes squad and everyone in the dressing room hopes that he is able to make a full recovery and resume his cricketing career."

Trescothick has never specified exactly what his illness entailed, although he last week revealed the condition involved a combination of depression and exhaustion.

In other cricket news and the England tour match against New South Wales ended in a draw at the SCG in England’s final hit out before the start of the Ashes.

For all your latest cricket news be sure to visit sportsaustralia.com as we are now just 9 days away from that first ball being bowled.

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