Trescothick to captain Somerset

Trescothick is due to travel to India for the Twenty20 Champions League

Former England opener Marcus Trescothick has been named as Somerset captain, replacing Justin Langer.

"Being made captain is a huge honour," said Trescothick. "I've been associated with the club since my school days.

"I've been a player for 17 years and I believe the time is right for me to take on the role."

Former Australia opener Langer revealed earlier this week that, at 38, he would be retiring from cricket at the end of the season after two years as skipper.

Trescothick, 33, has been the bedrock of the Somerset side since the premature finish to his Test career in the summer of 2006.

After finishing bottom of the pile a year earlier, Trescothick's return to regular county duty helped Somerset gain promotion from Division Two of the County Championship.

This season they reached the final of the Twenty20 Cup, could take the runners-up spot in the Championship and still have a chance of winning the Pro40.

Despite calling time on his England career due to a stress-related illness that prevented him from touring, Trescothick has also been named in the county's Champions League squad.

It is an honour to captain the club and he knows that

Somerset director of cricket Brian Rose

He is due to travel to India for the first time since heading home midway through England's tour of the sub continent in February 2006.

And Somerset director of cricket Brian Rose has nothing but praise for the way he has knuckled down to county cricket at Taunton again following all the many headlines made by the somewhat abrupt end to his 76-match Test career.

Rose, the county's captain in the great Botham/Garner/Richards era, told the club website: "What Marcus has done for the club over the last three years, considering the problems he has had, has been tremendous and has gained him even greatest respect from the staff here.

"Marcus is at the right age, with the right level of ability and the right temperament to take on the captaincy.

"Most importantly of all he wanted the job.

"He is a Somerset boy, heart and soul, and he loves playing cricket, so I am sure he will bring a great many qualities to the role. It is an honour to captain the club and he knows that.

"Like Justin Langer he is a wonderful example to younger players of the benefits of practising hard.

"He keeps himself as fit as possible and hits thousands of balls during the winter in the nets.

"We share a burning ambition to see Somerset win the County Championship and I am looking forward to working with him to try to bring that about."