November 15, 2006	Wednesday	Shawwal 22, 1427

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CANBERRA, Nov 14: England opener Marcus Trescothick flew home from Australia Tuesday after officials ruled him out of the Ashes series because a stress-related illness has flared again.

Head coach Duncan Fletcher announced the lefthander was returning to England, and the team will decide in the next two days whether to replace the experienced but out-of-form batsman.

“Following discussions between Marcus and the England medical staff, it was decided that Marcus should fly home at the earliest opportunity,” Fletcher said.

“We are naturally disappointed to lose a player of his quality from our Ashes squad and everyone hopes that he is able to make a full recovery and resume his cricketing career.”

Trescothick's departure came just over a week before England opens its Ashes defense in the first Test in Brisbane starting Nov. 23. It's the second time that Trescothick has pulled out of a tour. The Somerset opener flew home from India in March citing family reasons, and was later diagnosed to have a stress illness.

Trescothick, 32, was chosen for the Ashes squad despite poor form in the home series against Pakistan when he failed to score more than 20 in three Tests. Arriving in Australia, he made only two and eight in England's first two warm-up games.

Trescothick is a veteran of 76 Tests and was the only specialist batsman in England's squad to have played an Ashes Test in Australia.

Before his form slump, Trescothick scored 431 runs in the 2005 Ashes win over Australia and his form ensured England got off to several excellent starts.

With captain Michael Vaughan injured, England must now find a replacement for Trescothick to open with Andrew Strauss. Alastair Cook, who has scored 761 runs in his first nine Tests, is a likely first choice.—AP