Trescothick anticipates spin as England warm up

As the ICC KnockOut gets underway in the Nairobi Gymkhana club, England and Australia are contesting an out of sight warm up match at the nearby Simba Union ground.

The result of the game is hardly important. The aim is to familiarise the England players with the conditions, and sneak a close look at the team that will contest the Ashes next summer.

England new boy Marcus Trescothick explained: "This is a big chance for us not only to build up for Thursday, but to have a look at their guys for next year. It's a great chance to play against their world-class players and gain some experience of what will be needed in the future."

Trescothick also spoke about the likely playing conditions for the tournament. "All these wickets will spin," he said. "I think they will spin more as the tournament goes on. Just people running on the wicket has made it spin more, so although the wickets may be a bit dead, with less bounce, there will be turn. It will also be swinging."

Certainly Trescothick is backing himself to succeed whatever challenges are thrown at him this winter. "I think I have the technique to make sure I don't find it any more difficult than it should be," Trescothick said. "I am sure that bad technique has held me back in the past. I will not get out because of that any more."

"I have learned to leave the ball outside the off-stump - and that is particularly important in Test cricket - but I know there will be parts of my career that will be leaner than others. There will be the occasional run of bad form."

"You will always get occasional unplayable deliveries, especially from people like Ambrose and Walsh, but you have to get on with your game and have belief that you're good enough to be there."

This time last year Trescothick was a virtual unknown on the world stage, but now he has a great deal of expectation to deal with. "It has been a bit hectic this year," he admits. "It has really come from nowhere. It makes you feel better inside knowing you've done ok though, and that takes the pressure of a bit."

This winter will be the first opportunity for many overseas fans to see Trescothick, but he is keen to credit some of the more established players in the side for their part in his successful start.

"Alec Stewart and Michael Atherton both have so much experience in the different forms of the game. It has made things easier to know all that experience is at hand. They have been very supportive whenever I have played. It did not worry them, whatever I was doing. I was allowed to deal with it myself."

Meanwhile at the Simba Union ground England started with the likely 11 to play Bangladesh, omitting Solanki, Alleyne and Hoggard, though all 14 players will be involved in the action at some stage of the day.

There were two early wickets for Andy Caddick, Mark Waugh caught in the gully and Ponting lbw, but some concern as Ashley Giles had to leave the field limping having just taken the wicket of Bevan.