Trescothick back in England squad

Opener Marcus Trescothick returned to England’s squad for the first time since November after being included in a 30-man Twenty20 World Cup selection.

The Somerset star came home early from Australia with a stress-related illness but is now back in form for his county.{{more}}

Chris Schofield – in minor counties cricket last year – and Darren Maddy return after a seven-year absence.

Uncapped Essex opener Mark Pettini and Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright are also in, but Andrew Strauss misses out.

The final 15 for the tournament in South Africa, which starts on 11 September, will be named from the squad of 30 by 11 August.

And it is by no means certain that Trescothick will make the cut after a difficult 18 months.

The 31-year-old left-hander flew home early from India in February 2006, and had a patchy season with the bat last season before being rested for the Champions Trophy.

Trescothick also missed the World Cup but has rediscovered his best form for his county this season while England’s top-order batting misfired in the Caribbean and in the home one-day series against West Indies.

“As it stands nothing has been set in concrete, it’s just an opportunity for us to take our time,” he told BBC Sport.

“I’m just enjoying my cricket here and we’ll continue to see how it goes over the next couple of months.

“I can only judge between now and 11 August whether I’m fit to tour again and at this moment it’s given us an opportunity to say if I feel things have progessed we can maybe think about it.”

Chairman of selectors David Graveney, who has been in regular contact with him during his troubles, said: “We are pleased that Marcus has made a successful return to county cricket this summer and he remains a world-class opening batsman.

“But we will not be placing undue pressure on him to make a return to international cricket without first carefully considering all the issues involved.

“Ultimately, we will be guided by Marcus and the ECB medical staff as to his availability and I would anticipate that further discussions will take place with him before the squad is narrowed down.”

Schofield has been rewarded after becoming the leading wicket-taker in the Twenty20 Cup this season with 17 victims in eight matches.

He played two Tests in 2000 against Zimbabwe but was released by Lancashire in 2004 and began 2006 with minor county Suffolk.