MARCUS TRESCOTHICK Left-hand batsman; right-arm medium bowler

FACTFILE DOB: 25.12.1975 Team: Somerset Test debut: v West Indies, Old Trafford 2000 ODI debut: v Zimbabwe, The Oval 2000

Trescothick faces the task of redeeming his reputation after suffering the first seious loss of confidence since he burst onto the international scene during Zimbabwe's last tour to England three years ago.

His vulnerability outside off stump was exposed by the Australians during the winter Ashes series and he was also below his best at the World Cup where his only half century came against Namibia.

Captained England in a one-day game in Zimbabwe in 2001 and was apparently being groomed as Nasser Hussain's eventual successor.

But he was overlooked when Hussain missed the match against Namibia because of injury and his slide down the 'pecking order' was underlined by the rcent appointment of Michael Vaughan as the new one-day skipper.

Trescothick has played some brilliant innings in both Test and one-day cricket, including 119 off 102 balls against Zimbabwe at last year's Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka, and England fans hope he will quickly rediscover his self-belief.

He can expect another stern examination of his technique later in the summer, however, when Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini share the new ball for South Africa.