Trescothick backs Cook to repeat run recipe

London:

Former England opener Marcus Trecsothick has dismissed suggestions Alastair Cook may have shot his Ashes bolt following a record-breaking double century in the first Test against Australia.

Cook's mammoth 235 not out helped Ashes-holders England, 221 behind on first innings and facing the prospect of defeat, draw the series opener at the Gabba in Brisbane and leave the five-match series all square heading into this week's second Test at Adelaide.

The 25-year-old's marathon knock saw the Essex opener break batting great Don Bradman's Gabba record score of 226 for Australia against South Africa in 1931 and gave him a match aggregate of 302 runs following his first innings 67.

Some English pessimists fear Cook may have scored pretty much all his runs for the series in one match and Trescothick said Tuesday: "I always found it hard work when you play back-to-back Test matches.

"You've generally found that people who perform well in the first one found it harder in the second and vice-versa - those who have missed out play better," the Somerset captain added

"Ten days of Test cricket in 13 or 14 days is hard work mentally and to get back to the level he needs and having that same desire about getting that next 150 or double hundred for us to win the game is going to be tough.

"But form is a funny thing. Some people run with it and when they get a big score they get loads of big scores in a row, so hopefully he (Cook) can," Trescothick said of his fellow left-hander

Trescothick, a member of the Ashes-winning side in 2005 who called a halt to his 76-Test career because of a stress-related illness suffered on England's last tour of Australia, saw no reason to alter his pre-series prediction of a 2-1 England victory.

"What a fantastic fightback from the boys and things are looking good," the 34-year-old added.

"But there's still a helluva amount of work to do.

"I just think that in putting a marker down with that 500 for one (England made 517 for one declared in the second innings at Brisbane) might just play on the minds of the Australians a bit.

"I thought England were slight favourites going into the series and now I think Australia realise how strong a team we will be."

Trescothick has repeatedly ruled out a return to international cricket but that does not mean his career is without challenges.

Next season he will earn a million pounds if he can clear the Lord's pavilion using the new brand of Mongoose bat in a Twenty20 or 40-over game.

The feat has been achieved just once - by Australian Albert Trott back in 1899 - although the West Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard came close for Somerset last season while Glamorgan's Mike Llewellyn hit Middlesex and England's John Emburey into one of the turrets in the 1977 Gillette Cup final.

"It will be good fun and great viewing, if nothing less. I will be trying to swing from ball one," Trescothick said.