Reeve backs "smart" selection

Trescothick: A "big kid" when he made his county debut

Somerset coach Dermot Reeve has hailed the inclusion of Marcus Trescothick in the England Test squad for the vital third Test against West Indies as a "very smart selection".

Trescothick has made great strides since former Test all-rounder Reeve's move to Taunton and impressed selectors, teammates and England supporters with his mature attitude after being given his chance in the one-day side.

The pair were in contact during the triangular tournament and Reeve told Radio 5 Live he was over the moon about Trescothick's call-up for the Old Trafford Test.

"He is very exciting and he's actually at his best against quick bowlers on good surfaces. That's why he's there," he said.

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"Duncan Fletcher saw him score 170 , which was a great knock, on a quick wicket against Glamorgan at Taunton.

"Jacques Kallis was making eveybody hop around and struggle and Marcus murdered him and the rest of the Glamorgan bowlers and Duncan saw that innings and said 'Who is this fellow and wehere has he been?'"

Trescothick made his Somerset first team debut as a 17-year-old in 1993 and a year later captained the England under-19 side against India, making a double century and a hundred in representative games during that summer.

He also went on the England A tour to New Zealand in 1998-99 but failed to fins his best form.

Trescothick has, however, been in excellent form this summer, a fact recognised by his call into the one-day team when Nick Knight suffered a finger injury.

"Everyone down here is chuffed to bits for him. It's great and it's a very smart selection," Reeve said.

"He's been maturing at county level the last few years, working hard on his technique and, if you like, he's gone from a nice young lad - a big kid - he's now a man, he's mature and ready to perform."