Langer uncertain over Trescothick trip to India

Somerset captain Justin Langer said there were no guarantees Marcus Trescothick would play in the Champions League in India next month, despite being named in the English county's 15-man squad.

Former England opening batsman Trescothick's international career was ended by a stress-related illness that prevented him from travelling abroad.

Presuming he does travel, it will be the first time the 33-year-old has returned to the sub-continent since his condition resulted in him leaving England's tour of India in 2006.

But Langer, asked about the likelihood of Trescothick playing in India, told Sky Sports here on Monday: "I'm hopeful he will, we have it in place that he will be playing, but only time will tell.

"It's a big step for him. The last time he tried to get on the plane and he had to come home, it's well documented in his book that he found it too hard to bear," the former Australia Test opener added.

Trescothick was due to take part in Somerset's pre-season trip to the Middle East in early 2008 but only got as far as London's Heathrow Airport, having previously managed to play one tour match in Australia ahead of the 2006/07 Ashes series before he decided he had to return home.

The batsman has since concentrated on playing for Somerset and helped them qualify for the India trip by finishing as runners-up to Sussex in this year's Twenty20 Cup.

"Hopefully he's feeling well enough in himself and the measures are in place for him to belt the other teams around the park," Langer said. "Hopefully it works out because he is a fantastic player. It was breathtaking to watch him bat this year.

"But his health is more important than cricket."

Somerset begin the two-week tournament against the Deccan Chargers in Hyderabad on October 10.