Trescothick scored a total of 2,934 runs in all competitions in 2009

Somerset captain Marcus Trescothick has signed a new three-year contract, with the option of an extra year.

The former England opener, 33, was the highest-scoring batsman in first-class cricket last summer, hitting 1,817 runs at an average of 75.7.

He will now stay at Taunton until at least 2012 having joined in 1993.

Somerset director of cricket Brian Rose told BBC Radio Bristol: "For Marcus to put his faith and remain in Somerset is particularly pleasing for everybody."

After a stress-related illness forced him to return from England's tours of India in 2005-06 and Australia in 2006-07, Trescothick retired from international cricket in 2008.

The left-hander returned to India in October as part of the Somerset squad for the Champions League Twenty20, but a recurrence of the illness saw him leave the tournament before the knock-out phase.

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"Marcus has had problems travelling with Somerset and England over the last three years," added Rose.

"But he remains absolutely key and an essential part of Somerset and will be for the next four or five years."

Since his retirement from the international arena Trescothick has excelled in the County Championship, scoring 1,258 runs in 2008 and 1,817 in 2009 as Somerset finished fourth and third respectively in Division One.

"I think Marcus is looking at it from the perspective that he's done everything he can for England and his ambition is to win the County Championship," Rose continued.

"And to win it with Marcus at the helm would be a wonderful thing."

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